Lexington, KY - Being focused on your personal fitness and health is pretty normal for this time of year. This self-focus should prove beneficial and if continued, should pay big health dividends in your future. In addition to serving you well, you may not realize how your time and effort benefits those around you, especially your children.
Obesity, and all of the diseases that come with it, is a terrible and growing problem in the world. Kentucky has long ranked as one of the states with the highest rate of residents who are overweight or obese. In 2010, this state had the seventh highest obesity rate in the country; in 2011, we climbed to fifth.
As alarming as this statistic is, it's only part of the story. The next generation is not looking any better. In fact it looks like things could continue to get worse. Our child obesity rate is also one of the nation's highest --
fourth in 2010.
There is plenty of information about the problem of obesity, but not nearly as much about solutions. Parents are often confused and overwhelmed about what to do for their own health, not to mention their children's.
So, what is a parent to do? First, assess the situation. Is your child currently overweight or are you interested in preventing this from happening? Second, assess your personal health and weight situation. Are you overweight or obese? Are you exercising and eating healthy food?
Young children are little sponges that soak up everything they see and hear. They are more likely to mimic the behavior of their parents --
both good and bad. If you show your children that exercise and good nutrition are important to you, then they are much more likely to see it as important to them.
If you have older kids, especially teenagers, who don't exercise or eat right, you have a tougher battle, but not an impossible one. As a parent, you have to incorporate exercise into your life and make sure your child sees you putting time and effort into getting regular workouts. Hitting the treadmill at home or leaving for walks or runs from the house is a good way for your teenager to get the message. Always working out at a gym may not be as effective as having your kids actually witnessing you working out.
Examples of, as well as information about, healthy eating are imperative if you have teenage kids. At this age, they start to have a little money in their pocket and are making their own choices about when and where to eat. Your best bet is to educate them and help them make the best choices when they do go out. The book series "Eat This, Not That" is a great reference for teenagers.
If your child is currently overweight or obese, you have to take a realistic look at the lifestyle that got them to this place. If you see that you have contributed to the issue by being lax on rules regarding junk food or TV time, then make a commitment to change. You have to make sure that you are providing a healthy environment for your kids. Besides leading by example, you need to provide them with the opportunities to make good choices --
have healthy food available and be supportive of the exercise or fitness regimen they are drawn toward.
Your goal is to have your children in a routine of working out and eating fairly healthy before they are out of your house. If you have worked to introduce your children to proper exercise and eating before they go away to school, they are much more likely to continue this in college and throughout their life. College is an obesity breeding ground
-- lots of sitting, parties and easy access to greasy food. If your child has four years of inactivity and poor eating, they will be in bad shape when they graduate.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is the tools to keep fit and healthy throughout their lives. You have this ability, and you have this responsibility. Children learn behavior from their parents --
an active, healthy household is more likely to produce healthy, active kids.