Obesity in North America among children is an epidemic and it’s not surprising.
There’s a pretty straightforward answer to that question that we, as parents, don’t want to hear. We are raising our kids as couch potatoes because many of us are demonstrating that behavior. In order for our kids to be healthy and active, we need to be active ourselves. Experts tell us that the first and most important teachers in a child’s life are the parents. If mom and dad get off the couch and stop watching too much television, it’s no surprise that their children will do the same.
High-calorie fast foods and soft drinks are everywhere, and are heavily promoted in television commercials that kids watch. Let’s face it; as parents, we are the role models. Parents who eat junk food are more likely to raise kids who eat junk food.
In past times, kids used to play outside all of the time. Now, kids spend a lot of time watching television and playing video games. So many times, you see parents at sporting events sitting on the sidelines and watching, being the ‘cool parents.’ Get out and play with the kids on ‘field day’ at school. Play on the monkey bars with your kids when you go to the park. Don’t just sit and chat with the other parents and drink coffee; play boat or spaceship or whatever your child imagines that day.
Every year, Active Healthy Kids Canada (www.activehealthykids.ca) puts out a Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The 2009 report card discovered that “87 per cent of children and youth are still not meeting the recommended 90 minutes of physical activity a day…” The Report Card also found, however, that 88 per cent of parents in one regional study said their kids are physically active, so there’s a big disparity between what parents think and how active kids really are.
The findings also supported the notion that we as parents are watching too much television. Nearly 3 in 10 Canadian adults reported watching more than 15 hours of TV per week, and 19 per cent reported watching more than 21 hours per week (approximately three hours per day). As families, we live in a ‘TV culture.’
However you look at it, we as parents need to do something to help turn around these disturbing statistics and it’s not as hard as you think. We are not suggesting that you throw out the television; we just believe it is important to set limits and boundaries in the home when it comes to sedentary behavior such as passive video-gaming or TV.
Here are some tips on becoming more active with your children, and by active, we don’t mean entering triathlons or becoming daring mountain bikers or ski jumpers. We mean going for a walk with your children, taking them to the park to play, biking, swimming or skating together as a family. When spending time together as a family, choose active rather than passive activities.
Rather than watching television, everyday active families can:
• Put on the ‘80s dance music and dance together as a family in your living room.
• Have some circus-themed fun such as juggling, using a hula-hoop or jumping rope.
• Clean house together as a family, as you would be surprised how much your heart rate goes up when vacuuming, dusting and/or cleaning mirrors. And, you can save money on a housekeeper and everyone contributes!
• During commercials for your favorite television program, everyone could wrestle or do jumping jacks or run-in-place together. Make it fun and have competitions.
• Buy a fitness DVD on yoga and/or dance directed at kids and do the program with your children.
• Make sure you schedule how much screen time that your child is allowed every day.
There are just so many ways to become a more active family and the benefits for everyone are worth the effort. Daily activity reduces stress and improves your sense of well-being. Fitness has been linked with reducing the risk of some diseases and warding off depression. For moms, strength training can help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis. Exercise also improves self-esteem and increases your stamina. Remember, as a parent, the clock never stops and you need lots of energy.
Margaret and Dawn are the founders of PlayFit Canada. For more information, visit www.playfit.ca, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact 1-877-229-6302.
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