The statistics on child obesity can be scary.
Close to 20 percent of America’s children deal with obesity, with some groups of children more affected than others.
While child obesity is a problem, it’s not an insurmountable one. A proper diet coupled with vigorous outdoor play can go a long way to keeping kids healthy.
The country has managed to begin reversing the obesity trend in children in recent years, as President Barack Obama said in his proclamation naming September National Child Obesity Awareness Month.
“By fostering environments that support healthy choices and giving families the knowledge and resources they need to make smart decisions, we can move closer toward ensuring all our children grow up healthy,” Obama said. “Every September, as children begin the new school year, we recommit to solving the epidemic of childhood obesity within the next generation.”
Why is childhood obesity such a problem? We’ll let the Centers for Disease Control explain:
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Children with obesity are more likely to deal with obesity in adulthood.
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This can mean lifelong physical and mental difficulties, including diabetes and a greater risk for some kinds of cancer.
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Children who have obesity are more likely to be bullied or otherwise stigmatized.
Childhood obesity is often the result of other serious health/societal issues:
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Too much time spent on sedentary activities.
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Lack of a bedtime routine (and thus not enough sleep).
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No access to healthy, affordable foods.
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Easy access to cheap, high-calorie snacks and beverages.
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Lack of places in the community to get proper exercise.
But the CDC says there are ways for parents to prevent obesity and promote healthy growth for their children:
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Kids can have a healthy weight by achieving what the CDC calls an “energy balance.” This balance can be reached by making sure children get enough sleep, limited screen time, take part in regular physical activity and outdoor fun, and eat the proper number of calories.
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Serve fruits and vegetables at meals and as snacks, and make sure kids get water as an alternative to sugary beverages.
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Fruits and vegetables can also serve as a substitute to foods with higher-calorie ingredients such as added sugar and solid fats.
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If your children are among the 60 percent of kids under age 6 involved in some sort of childcare, talk to your childcare provider to make sure they’re promoting healthy eating habits.
In addition to making sure they practice healthy eating, it’s also important that your kids get enough exercise. First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move program has these suggestions:
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Give kids toys such as balls, kites and jump ropes in order to encourage movement
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Suggest they join a sports team or try a new physical activity.
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Limit the amount of time they can watch TV each day, and keep the TV out of their bedroom. (And although Let’s Move doesn’t say this, we recognize that today’s kids may not watch TV the way previous generations did, which is why limiting screentime is important.)
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If their school is within walking distance, walk with them to school – or arrange for another trusted adult to walk with them – a few times a week.
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Take the stairs instead of elevators.
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After every family meal, walk around the block.
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Declare a new house rule: no sitting during TV commercials.
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Devote your next family outing to exercise: swimming, hiking, bike riding.
Remember: you can get your kids interested in exercise by making it fun. Installing an outdoor play set is an investment in your children’s health. They can burn off calories by swinging on swings, bouncing on trampolines, or even inventing games of their own that keep them active.
If you’re interested in setting up a backyard play space for your child – whether it’s swing set, trampoline or even a basketball hoop – contact Swingset & Toy Warehouse. We hope you’ll find something that can keep your kids active for years to come.
