What Can We Do About Childhood Obesity?

Have you noticed that every time you open a newspaper or magazine these days there are articles about obesity? What’s happening to our society? What’s causing this epidemic? And—perhaps most alarmingly—why are young people becoming fat?

One big problem is that modern life does not initiate movement. We have remotes for everything—from garage door openers to televisions, radios and DVD players. Most all of us drive or ride a bus to our destinations. Kids would rather play on the computer or with hand-held games than go outside. Some neighborhoods have become unsafe to ride bikes or go for walks—just another reason for kids to stay inside, watch TV, surfing the internet, or talk on cell phones. I’ve even seen kids and moms in a grocery store calling each other on their cell to find out where each other are, rather than walk a few steps and search the aisles! How lazy is that?

Some schools have done away with physical education classes. As if that weren’t bad enough, junk food and soda machines have been installed on school grounds.

I was astounded when I read that Anchorage had created a task force to find out what was causing the childhood obesity epidemic. Why didn’t they just use their heads or call me? Now, the committee has decided that the junk food and soda has to be taken out of the schools. All I can say to that is a big, fat resounding: Duh!?

Our bodies are made for moving. If they don’t move, our muscles get sluggish, our cells get rundown and we store fat easily. Indeed, it is all too easy to spot a “mover” from the “sitter”!

But, there is hope. Don’t despair. Don’t give up! Instead of wallowing in the negatives of inactivity and poor eating habits, let’s look at changing our perspective and our attitudes.

How about scheduling some fun outdoor activities this summer as a family? What about an all-day hike with a nutritious picnic lunch? Remember family softball games? How about playing a game of catch in the back yard?

Most every community offers a variety of summer activities, such as softball, soccer, swimming and community runs. Even cleaning up the roadside is a productive event in which the whole family can participate. And what about all the wonderful bike trails in Anchorage and the Valley? Make a date with your loved ones and walk or bike a mile or two daily. As you get fitter, you’ll only want to go further—do it!

Closer to home, you can make it a game to see how many steps each person takes during the day. You might even want to purchase some inexpensive pedometers that measure how far you walk—a little friendly competition might be just the ticket to health and fun! Another great way to get your kids involved in more activity is by climbing the stairs in your house. Have little kids count how many steps it takes to get upstairs and then see if it’s the same number coming down. Have older kids time themselves going up and down the stairs. See if they can cut seconds off their time. Again, some good-natured competition is not only fun but healthy. You should join them, too!

Kids are mirrors of their parents, and often follow by example. If a parent is active and involved in activities, the kids will be too! Lead by example.

Yet another area in which obesity can be addressed is summed up in the old adage, you are what you eat. It’s important to move away from all those ready-to-eat processed foods which contain almost no nutritional value (and are actually breaking the body down) and head instead to fresh, healthy foods.

Educate yourself along with your kids to discover which foods honor your body and give you energy. When you choose foods that are healthy and nutritious, you’ll have more energy and will want to move your body.

The combination of the right foods, water, and movement will get you to your ideal weight, rid you of joint pain, increase your energy, and eliminate other health concerns. Not only that, your kids will be well on their way to becoming happy, healthy adults.

For more information on eating right and exercise please contact Bonnie Murphy at 907-646-4076; e-mail [email protected]; or visit her website at http://www.bfitandwell.com Bonnie encourages your comments and questions. Down load her latest e-book on retarding the aging process with exercise. http://www.bfitandwell.com

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