Children and Fitness

Bananas - A healthy food choice that is great on top of food or as a snack. I use them in baking regularly.
@Fishmomma (11378)
United States
June 8, 2008 5:11pm CST
The number of children that are overweight has increased. Some of the reasons for this increase are not a surprise; however, we can help our children, grandchildren and future generations to be healthier. Limit television and computer time. There was a study done that stated children between 8 and 18 are watching 8.5 hours every day. I found the study alarming. The study did mention some video game you have to move, so it didn't think they are bad. I have never seen a Wii, but must say it does sound entertaining. If you drive your children to school park a little ways from the school and get out and walk. We need to set an example whether it be walking and just doing something for getting fit. Make exercise fun. Plan a fun event, as not everyone enjoys just walking. I'm one of them, as don't mind walking to see pretty flowers or a visit to see zoo animals. If your area has a swimming pool, then that is another way to have fun exercising. I use to ride my bike, but flat tires have kept me from riding and need to get new rims. Be supportive as everyone doesn't like the same exercise. Help your children find fun ways to spend time. Some other ideas are playing Frisbee, flying a kite, playing with your pet, or shooting some hoops with friends. Eat healthy Foods This one is important, as when your children see us eating cookies, then they want them also. I have fruit and raisins in my house at all times. This way my daughter has something to eat when she is here that isn't junk food.
4 people like this
6 responses
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
8 Jun 08
Yes its a shame since when i was younger it was very rare to see anyone overweight..now most are and i blame it on the computer and no PE in school..healthy snacks are always at my house too
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
9 Jun 08
This area the PE program is really bad. I can walk further than the students in less time. They walk around the outside of the school grounds and are suppose to be jogging, but most are breathing so hard and look like they are going to pass out.
1 person likes this
@athinapie (1150)
• Philippines
9 Jun 08
I agree. There should be a Physical Education class at school since this is the only time the kids can do something that can contribute to their physical fitness and thus also contribute to their good health. In our school, instead of serving junk food they are replacing it with banana chips which is better.
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I agree banana chips are a better choice. My daughter loves them. Schools need to provide children with healthy food.
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
9 Jun 08
Yup, tv and computer are the actual killers for being over weight.. As we are sitting down all the time, we dun get to burn off the calories from the food that we eaten and thus it's stored as fats.. As studies have shown, there's certain enzyme in our butt that helps to burn off calories, and so by walking, running or even standing up, will help to burn off those calories ^_^ YUp, family exercises will be great as it will bond the whole family together and it will be a time whereby the whole family will be looking forward too, especially the kids ^_^ A swim or cycling activities will interest the kids alot, plus it's fun ^_^ hehe
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I agree with family bonding. My youngest daughter is planning to have a family some day and feel the experiences she had while growing up will help her in parenting a child. We regularly would go out walking and have a picnic. It was fun to do healthy activities and we did bike to the beach.
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
10 Jun 08
True ^_^ With family bonding, a child will grow up well and handle things better, especially family affairs ^_^
1 person likes this
@jhartana (1084)
• Australia
9 Jun 08
It is also happening here in Australia and the number of obese children keeps increasing. I believe their parents have failed to look after the kids and let their kids eat whatever they want. If parents can't regulate then kids will become monster and surely this will become parents worst nightmare. If I were to have kids then I would regulate them when it comes to eating food and encourage them to exercise as much as they can so they will stay healthy and growing up smoothly. I myself also an obese person but I would not pass this to my future children.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I'm certain its important to eat well. Parents must help their children make good food choices. Exercise and eating right are important to be done together.
1 person likes this
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
8 Jun 08
We do have a Wii and it does get you moving. We have bowling night, etc. Now that summer is here, we live at the pool. This is great exercise for all of us. I do keep lots of fruit in the house (fresh, dried and canned) because my youngest is such a fruit nut. Thanks to her I have been eating it more. I'm lucky right now that my girls are slender. I remember the days when I was LOL My youngest is more active than my oldest. She just made the gymnastic's team so we are going from one hour a week to 5 hours. We try to take walks, when it is not extremely hot out.
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I'm considering getting a Wii for the days when the weather isn't fine to go out. We have had weather alerts informing me not to go outside because of my allergies. I do workout indoors when we have these alerts. I have heard there is a bowling game, but don't know what other games. Can you tell me about the games that you have for this system? Thanks in advance.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Thankfully, the obesity epidemic among children seems to have peaked. I just can't believe parents let kids watch tv 8.5 hours a day!! There's so much more to do than sit and watch idiocy. I didn't allow my kids to watch tv much, Mr. Rogers once a day was pretty much it. We played a lot and as they got older we went places and hiked and did other things that were much more entertaining and bonding than watching the idiot box.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I know friends have told me getting their children to turn off sports on television is a challenge. One friend told her children to get a job or take college classes, as the television watching was ending on the weekends. They would turn on ESPN in the morning and have it on all day. Its not just television, as its the computer also. I post for awhile and then go work. My children were never hooked to the television, but the computer is a different story.
1 person likes this
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
9 Jun 08
We try to regulate our children's time on computer/television. Today I took them swimming and we had a great time. They love the outdoors, walking and such. They don't get a lot of junk food as most meals in our home are home cooked, veggies, and meat. If we buy them snacks, it is usually a bag of apples or some similar item.
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I do a lot of home cooking when my daughter is here. She is a college student and I'm aware is going to eat some fast food. Each week she does go to Subway, as I suggested it, since I know she gets called into work at the last minute.
1 person likes this
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
13 Jun 08
Thank you for the B R. Subway is one fast food places that has some pretty healthy food. I think even the fast food burger places carry salads and such now. I guess they figured out that not every one wants all that cholesterol.