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Keeping It Fun! Getting Children to Exercise

With Doug Caporrino

One of the biggest epidemics that we face today as a country and as a society is childhood obesity. The increase in overweight children is nothing less than staggering. Three out of every ten children ages 6 thru 12 in the United States is considered overweight.

In order to adequately assess the issue however, consider this: the problem is not the fault of our children, however. We believe it is possibly the fault of us adults. We have contributed to the vast problem by allowing our children to lead sedentary lives by our example to them.

First let us examine the actions they mimic of our own behavior patterns. Do they see our family as active, vital and frequently exercising together for the mutual benefit of sharing that activity as both quality family time and a healthy habit?

Secondly, let’s take a look at the time period between the 1960s and the 1980s. Physical education wasn’t an option in schools; it was mandatory (and was usually accompanied by a groovy uniform). In fact, if you did not participate in Phys Ed, you could either flunk that year or even worse get left back. Today only twenty percent of the schools in the United States require children to take physical education classes. Computers and video games have also taken over our schools and become the dominating activity of today’s youth. There is no doubt that the information age has a plethora of advantages in communication, business and many aspects of learning; however, there must be boundaries and discipline implemented to keep their use in balance. The key here is balance. A child today between the ages of 5 and 14 spends an average of 35,000 hours between those years in front of a TV or computer. That equates to 7 years of their waking life. This is a serious problem and one that needs to be addressed first by us parents.

The challenge we face is that most households are two income households where both parents work to make ends meet. In recent years there has been a growing de-emphasis on the family daily structure and parental guidance. Schools are just as much to blame. When we look at the school lunch programs and the choices that our children have in school, it’s scary. In seventy percent of the schools today the only choices that our children have are Taco Bell, Pizza Hut or Kentucky Fried Chicken. How sad is that? On top of that, the soda industry pays schools millions of dollars to allow their vending machines to line the hallways of our schools. We commend California for passing one of the first laws in the nation disallowing soda machines in schools.

So how do we fix this and promote good health habits to our youth? RESPONSIBILITY!!!! Parents and schools alike need to take responsibility. Physical education programs need to become part of our children’s schools again. It’s up to you the parent to see that the school is making this a priority. Let your voice be heard. If you find the school lunch program unacceptable, then prepare your child’s lunch at home. There are plenty of good nutritious fun foods for children that are just as convenient and easy to assemble. This can become just as much fun for the parent as the child. It’s not hard, just different!

Now comes the fun part. How do we get children to exercise more at home? Rules need to be set for both TV time and computer time and then enforced. If you as a parent go to a health club, great!! Most health clubs across the nation now have children’s programs as well. Take advantage of them. Remember…children want to emulate their role models and that should be you. If you do not belong to a health club, then start creating exercise or playtime at home. Get out and bicycle ride as a family. Take long walks after dinner. If weather is a concern, then partake in some form of a family exercise video together. Physio balls and jump ropes are a great way to get children involved in exercise because it’s fun. If you make it a chore, it will become one. If you make it fun, then they will look forward to it and continue it.

Encourage your children to take part in school sports. Other options would be to look in your city or town for some activity that they would like. If money is an issue, look for local YMCAs or Boys and Girls Clubs. They have wonderful programs available at a little charge or no charge at all. The important message here that we want to send is to get our children moving again. Do not become overbearing. Parents sometimes make the mistake of trying to live vicariously through their children especially when it comes to sports. Remember it’s not as important to win as much as it is to teach the importance of good sportsmanship and having fun pushing yourself and your teammates to stretch themselves physically and mentally. Teaching our children that losing could be just as much fun as winning is a great life lesson for all participating.

The secret to reducing the staggering statistics of childhood obesity starts with taking the first step...as a responsible adult. Give them enough why and our children will comply!