Recently, I have been on a rampage concerning children and their health and well-being. As parents, it is important for us to help our children by loving them and nurturing them into becoming productive and responsible adults.
Well, I am going to continue to address the subject because it is one I feel is very important and needs to be addressed. It is well documented that parents must be active in our children’s lives. We must be engaged in the education of our children and teach them to be self-reliant. All of these points are very viable topics, but we fail to address the issue of having healthy children – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Raising healthy children in this fast-paced, everyone-on-the-go society can be difficult, but it is not impossible. With some effort and creativity, today’s children can get the exercise they need to keep their mind, body and soul healthy.
Most youth are held up inside watching television, playing Play Station or surfing the Internet with a high-fat snack in one hand and a sugary drink in the other. Many children go to after-school program to help enhance their cultural awareness, but kids need physical exercise to stay fit and they need to read books to strengthen their mind and just as importantly they need a strong support system to build them up emotionally.
Statistics show the percentage of overweight children has nearly doubled in the past 10 years. Doctors say obese children usually become obese adults carrying not only additional pounds, but also many other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
I recently read an article written by Dr. Fred Daniels, an internist at Chicago’s Stony Island Medical Center. He stated that he has discovered there is a rising epidemic of obesity, especially in the pediatric age group. Daniels also said the unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise in younger children are leading to increased cardiovascular disease in people from ages 16 to 40.
As parents, we must take time to make sure our children have a positive physical and emotional well-being. It will make a big difference in their lives as adults.
Growing up, I was active in sports – track, basketball, soccer and cheerleading. As an adult, I try to continue some form of physical exercise. I know as parents it is very hard to find the time to go out and exercise; but doing something is better than doing nothing at all. In addition, to exercise, eating healthy is important. Try eating together as a family and spend quality time talking and laughing. This will make things easier and much lighter.
I know with most families, parents work. Coordinating schedules and preparing meals is often difficult; but with a little planning and establishing a routine it is definitely doable.
Article by: Starr Johnson - founder of Helping Hands writing services and contributor to TheExpertease.com.