IMPROVING THE FUTURE

We are only as good as those that come after us. We must take responsibility and take care of our future. In today’s busy world we often unknowingly hinder and deter our youth. Children will imitate what they see more than what they are told. Our habits, both good and bad, are encouraged and passed on to the next generation. Habits such as overeating, lack of exercise, fast food, and being too busy to sit down together to eat a healthy home cooked meal are being taught to our children everyday.

The World Health Organization states that 400 million people worldwide are obese. Out of this group, 20 million are under age 5! According to The Journal of American Medical Association over 30% of American children age 2 to 19 are overweight. A study from Sweden revealed males that were overweight at age 18 increased their risk of premature death by one-third. The number of children with insulin dependent type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult onset, are rising each year. We must take responsibility. We are killing our children.

Take action. Be proactive. It can benefit your kids, you, and your relationship together. Children will eat food that they have available. It takes 10-12 times for someone to determine if they like a food. So don’t give up if they don’t seem to love spinach the first time. Decrease the amount of sugary foods and increase whole fruits and vegetables that are available.

Kids love to play. I’m still a kid and I love to play. Kids often do not get as much physical activity in today’s school system as kids did 15 years ago. Lets take a look at the typical day of a school aged child: up early and hopefully some breakfast (usually sugary) followed by a morning of sitting quiet and still, a quick lunch, then back to the classroom for an afternoon of sitting. When they get home, the last thing the want or need is to sit down and be quiet. Now an adult’s typical day may consist of getting the kids ready for school, scarfing a quick and easy breakfast on the way to work, sitting at a desk most of the day mindlessly snacking on unhealthy food with some lunch thrown in when time allows. After a long day you may want to sit down and relax when you get home. While your kids have plenty of energy and the last thing they want is more sitting around being quiet. Why not take advantage of this time and your child’s energy to enrich your relationship and grow closer to your child? Take 20 minutes to be active and get involved. When you get home, go outside and take a walk or play a game with your kids and talk to them about their day. If the weather is bad, teach them how to cook some healthy food, or play a game inside. Try the video game they’ve been asking you to play, agree to play but add your own personal twist (you may need it just to have a chance). Add rules such as you must play standing up or have them spell the vocabulary words for their reading test as you play. Mental along with physical activity has been proven to enhance learning. Kids love challenges. How much is 20 minutes with your kids worth? 20 minutes a day of growing closer, learning more about your kids, teaching your kids, and all while getting you both some physical activity.

The youth of today are our future. Make the future healthier. You’re kids are worth it!

TIPS TO HELP YOUR KIDS

Take a walk or bike ride.

Play tag or ball.

Let the kids create a game to play.

Try a new food together.

Have apples cut and ready to eat for an after school snack.

Prepare some good healthy food and sit down for a family meal.