Site Search

How Do We Get Our Kids To Care About Diet and Exercise?

By Jill Thiel

Roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population is now overweight or obese. According to a 2004 public health survey for Obesity Reviews, nine million youths in the United States are overweight. And 30% of Americans 12 to 19 years old are currently overweight.

In the spring of 1981 I graduated from college with a degree in Physical Education, specializing in K-8th grade Movement Education. I was a starry eyed, somewhat eager educator out to revolutionize the world of kid's fitness.

But life has a funny way of throwing us curve balls and we (Joe and I) spent the next three years in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I couldn't teach and ended up doing whatever I could to help provide income while Joe worked and attended Seminary. It was a new culture and a new time in our lives and the years passed quickly.

Why do I share this??.. because life can always change our directions whether we want it to or not, BUT it does not have to change our goals.

Over the years I have taught dance, gymnastics, swimming, and fitness classes, some for children and some for adults, always for the love of movement and fitness. Regardless of our circumstances we can still control our fitness destiny and (the reason for this article) that of our children as well.

Joy Guardia (one of our trainers at Fitness Together) and I recently attended a conference in Chicago with Dr. Len Kravitz (not the singer). He shared that the new buzz word in fitness is 'spontaneous exercise.'

You are probably reading this because you are considering or are already committed to a fitness program. But how can we make this a family affair?

First, we set the example: Be a role model for physical fitness!

It is true - actions speak louder than words. If it is a priority and we do not let any and every excuse distract us from our fitness routine our kids will see the value in exercise. Also they do listen to our words (even teens, when we think they are ignoring us) and if we are whining and complaining they will think that exercise is just wrong. And lastly we need to involve our children in fun activities so they will begin to reap the benefits without seeing it as work.

Smallstep.gov says plan active weekends. Include biking, hiking, skating (ice or roller), sledding, walking or playing ball. Take a trip to the park, skating rink, zoo or swimming pool. You may get the initial 'that's stupid' remark but done well it will create a memory to last a lifetime. (Don't forget the camera!!!)

Kids today are headed for some serious trouble as our society becomes more sedentary and we as parents are the key. Not only can we help them make better food choices we can encourage and participate in fitness activities with them.

Fitness Together is here to help you in any way we can. We offer weight training programs, sport specific programs and cardio for all ages. We will also be happy to give you ideas.

So get off the couch, turn off the T.V. (or video games) and go walk the dog with your children.

If you don't have a dog, go get one or borrow the neighbors'..but get moving.

Time your walk and turn it into a contest. Can you make it around the block 10 seconds faster this time? What about an obstacle course? Around the pole three times, sprint from stop sign to light pole, jump from sidewalk line to the next line etc.

You get the drift?..MOVE.

Everyone benefits!

On February 1, The President and Mrs. Bush met with corporate leaders to encourage the private sector to join the federal government's efforts to promote child fitness and prevent obesity. The President and Mrs. Bush met with executives from industries dealing with product development, entertainment, retail sales, and advertising to youth to discuss the importance of improving healthy food offerings and encouraging physical activity in their marketing campaigns.

Following the meeting, U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services (HHS) secretary Mike Leavitt will join DreamWorks Animation SKG chairman Roger Enrico and Ad Council president and CEO Peggy Conlon to launch a public awareness campaign to help prevent childhood obesity.

The campaign is in partnership with the Ad Council and will include ads featuring characters from the Shrek animated movies encouraging children to "Be a Player: Get Up and Play an Hour a Day."

Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem. More than 10 million school-age children in the United States (approximately 18 percent) are now considered overweight, and the problem is getting worse. The proportion of overweight kids tripled among adolescents over the last 25 years, and nearly doubled for children ages 6 to 12. This increases their risk for adult heart disease and diabetes, lowers life expectancy, and creates additional health-care costs.

The Administration Is Working To Fight Obesity

The Federal Government spends more than $600 million annually to fight obesity.

The President's 2008 Budget proposes $17.3 million for approximately 3,600 schools to receive $3,000 To $5,000 grants from HHS to help implement school health index improvement plans. These plans will help schools assess and measure the health of their students. Grant recipients will develop action plans for promoting physical activity and healthy eating. The initiative will reach more than 3 million young people and their families.

In June 2002, President Bush launched The HealthierUS Initiative to promote personal fitness and health. As part of this initiative, the President announced the revitalization of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS). The President also directed certain Federal agencies to review and revise policies, programs, and regulations related to physical activity and nutrition in accordance with the goals of the HealthierUS initiative.

HHS Activities: HHS activities to promote the HealthierUS initiative include the recent launch, with the Office of Personnel Management, of HealthierFeds, the HealthierUS Fitness Festival, PCPFS challenge partnerships, and various forums and workshops. HHS also partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to launch HealthierUS Veterans and has also convened four National Prevention Summits. In 2005, HHS launched the We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) program, a resource for tools to help children 8 to 13 years old stay at a healthy weight. Through the CDC, the Steps to a HealthierUS initiative operates a cooperative agreement program office that provides funding to 40 communities nationwide to support evidence-based community interventions.

U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA) Activities: USDA has partnered with States and local schools to promote the availability of healthful foods and encourage physical activity, assist in the implementation of Local School Wellness Policies, and establish the Healthier US School Challenge. USDA has also initiated a number of efforts to make the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children more effective vehicles for improving nutrition and preventing obesity. Two USDA campaigns - "Team Nutrition" and "Eat Smart. Play Hard." - are helping to deliver messages on the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. USDA And HHS Dietary Guidelines For Americans: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a joint effort by HHS and USDA, were updated in 2005 and serve as the basis of Federal food programs and nutrition education programs. The MyPyramid Food Guidance System incorporates the science-based recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and replaces the Food Guide Pyramid of 1992.

This Year, the Administration's Actions to Fight Obesity Will Include:

Public Messaging Partnerships: HHS will continue working with the advertising, entertainment, arts, food, and beverage industries to recognize achievements and increase support for obesity prevention initiatives.

School Wellness Policies: USDA is helping schools across America to implement their Local Wellness policies. This school year, districts nationwide are required to establish goals for nutrition education and physical activity and to set school food nutrition guidelines. HHS and other agencies have also produced Federal tools and curricula on healthy diets and exercise.

Outdoor Recreation: The Interior Department will promote physical fitness by facilitating greater access to public lands and National Parks. This will encourage young people and their families to participate in hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, and other forms of outdoor recreation.

Physical Activity Guidelines For Americans: In 2006, HHS announced that it would issue comprehensive Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans in 2008. These will complement the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and are based on the premise that Americans must engage in physical activity as well as have a healthy diet. HHS will establish a Physical Activity Scientific Advisory Committee in 2007 to formulate recommendations that will serve as the basis for the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Dietary Guidelines For Americans: HHS and USDA will continue promoting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the revised MyPyramid Food Guidance System, as the basis for Federal food and nutrition education. USDA will also continue to promote MyPyramid for Kids as a vehicle encouraging children ages 6 to 11 to make healthy eating and physical activity choices.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/02/20070201-3.html

About the Author:

Jill Thiel is a certified personal trainer with an extensive background in kid's fitness, dating back to her high shool days at the YMCA teaching gymnastics to preschoolers through Jr. High. She and her husband are owners of Fitness Together personal training studios in Illinois and Missouri. Her website is http://www.ftspringfield.com or http://www.ftchesterfield.com