At Push Pedal Pull, we believe in healthy families. With school recently back in session, we would like to talk about children’s health.
The statistics around child obesity rates in America during the past decade are scary. Did you know:
- Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. (CDC)
- Children who are obese have a high likelihood of staying obese into adulthood. One study even suggests that children who became obese as young as 2 years old are at a higher risk for being obese as an adult. (CDC)
- The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports, “Being overweight during childhood and adolescence increases the risk of developing high cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems, depression and type 2 diabetes as a youth.”
- A parent’s health greatly influences their child’s health. Children who have one or more obese parent(s) have an 80% chance of becoming overweight or obese themselves. (HHS)
The issues contributing to child obesity are complicated and include a lack of physical activity, environmental factors, poor diet, genetics, parent’s income-level and more.
Because a child’s health today will impact the rest of their life, it is so important to introduce healthy lifestyle choices now. Planning and serving nutritious meals will help a child form habits that will benefit their health in both the short and long term. Need cooking inspiration? The websites of publications like Eating Well, Cooking Light, Taste of Home and others host recipes designed with kids in mind.
Getting children engaged in physical activities early is also essential for lifelong health. By limiting TV or computer time, signing up for a sport or exercise class (think dance, karate, etc.) or incorporating movement into the daily routine (walking together to school or to the grocery store), a kid can burn calories while having fun.
If a child doesn’t enjoy sports, find an equally active alternative. Can they get involved in club like Boy/Girl Scouts where they might hike? If the child is interested in technology, consider the activity monitors available that can add a digital incentive to getting in shape.
Childhood health is an important issue with far-reaching effects on our society. The national initiative, “Let’s Move!” led by Michelle Obama focuses on promoting healthy eating and fitness among children. The “Let’s Move” pledge states, “We can’t let this be the first generation in our history to grow up less healthy than their parents.” To learn more or to join the movement, please visit www.letsmove.gov.