It’s no secret that childhood obesity is fast becoming an epidemic. Latest estimate of Canadian statistics in 2011; 1.6 million children were overweight or obese. When obesity levels rise, our children face a sick future. Chronic but highly preventable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes, are increasingly becoming a daily reality.
Self-sacrificing parents spend their precious time preparing healthy lunches for children while feeling too pressured for time to cook for themselves. While encouraging their children’s participation in fun fitness activities, parents themselves wait in the stands, sit on the sidelines, and demonstrate that a sedentary lifestyle is the norm for adults.
Every aspect of a child’s personality is heavily influenced by what he sees and experiences from an early age. Eating and exercise habits are no different. That is why there is only one true cure for childhood obesity. Parents need to lead by example and get fit and healthy with their children.
The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that parents who were empowered to participate in a child’s healthy weight loss by following the same exercise, behavior, and nutrition changes as their children had children who lost more weight in compared with children who were encouraged to eat healthy and exercise without parental involvement (up to 11.2%). The most encouraging aspect of the study showed that the parent-child group maintained their weight for up to 10 years (Epstein, Valoski & Wing, 1990). In other words, when both children and parents actively changed their unhealthy lifestyles, the children lost weight and did not regain it, thereby reducing the risks of long-term health problems associated with childhood obesity.
Parents who join in on family exercise, such as biking, tagging, or jumping rope together, create warm family memories that make exercise a fun way of life rather than an adult chore that could be put aside. Nowadays, more and more exercises are designed to promote family unity while getting in shape. A perfect example is the growing number of fun family runs. Both children and parents can participate in short runs or walks of 1 or 5 kilometers. Holiday themes make these events especially exciting for children while parents are also involved in the “learn to run” process.
When it comes to nutrition, feeding children healthy meals is not enough. Children should be actively involved in helping their parents find delicious and healthy recipes. Children can help in the kitchen with the cooking process and see how their parents enjoy the same nutritious meals as they do. If possible, dinners should be spent with the family at home. Direct discussions about weight loss should be avoided, but both parents and children can openly discuss the health benefits of their favorite foods.
The important thing to remember is that your children are watching you. By showing your children that you, too, lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, parents have the power to shape healthy habits for the life of their children. They can conquer childhood obesity and give their children the vibrant future they deserve.
Sources:
Epstein, LH, Valoski, A. and Wing, RR (1990). http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2012003/article/11706-eng.htm. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2519-2523.