We have the highest teenage and childhood obesity rates
today than at any other point in the world’s long history. Much of the blame
for this is on the fast food, low energy society that we have become. Far too
often we feel that it is safer to keep our children inside our homes rather
than out and about in the great outdoors. The things we are doing for the
protection of our children are actually detrimental to the health of our
children.
There are things however that are being done to address the
problem and get our children more involved, more active, and better educated
about making the proper choices about diet, nutrition, fitness, and overall
health. The problem for most teens is getting them off the computer, phone, or
away from the television long enough to get active.
Even video games are getting in on the act of getting
children up and active by creating games such as Play Station 2’s Dance Party
Revolution and the new Nintendo Wii gaming system that seem to be taking the
market by storm. These systems allow consumers, to actively participate in the
game play adventure rather than sitting back and playing the game in a static
environment. It is a great way to get teens off their seats and active. These
games are also fun for adults and will have the same effects when it comes to
activity. Whoever thought we’d be actually encouraging game play for exercise?
Get Outside and Get Active
Teens learn by example and whether they care to admit it or
not, they typically enjoy doing things as part of the family. Go rock wall
climbing or mountain climbing. Go bike riding as a family. Camp in the great
out doors and go hiking, boating, or biking yet again. Learn a new sport
together. It’s amazing how much fun you can have learning how scuba dive and
while you are at it, neither of you will be consuming empty calories. Even if
the sport you take up together doesn’t involve a lot of physical activity it is
quite likely more active than sitting in front of the television.
Have your teen join a recreational sports team. We have all
kinds of sports teams available in our community in which our teens can join.
Even those with no skills at all can join and play in some of the leagues while
other leagues are competitive. Getting out and about for a softball game,
soccer game, and even volleyball can be a great way for the family to do
something together and the games and practices are opportunities for your teen
to be active.
Lawn work is another way to get out and get active with your
teen. The key, as always, is in your teen burning more calories than he or she
consumers. It is often easier said than done but it is quite possible if you
work to get them out and about. Find things however that will be interesting to
your teen and focus on those rather than torturing them with activities that
hold no interest at all (well maybe not the yard work). At any rate, filling
their time with activities is also allowing time that they aren’t consuming
calories as well and that is something worth considering.
Encourage your teen to eat healthier foods. Eliminate
calorie-loaded sods, fruit juices, and energy drinks from your pantry shelves,
and encourage your teens to drink plenty of water each day. Introduce as many
vegetables as possible to the diet of your teens and get rid of the prepackaged
convenience goodies that teens are notorious for depleting in one sitting. Also
having your teens actively participate in the preparation and clean up for
meals will help them pay more attention to the things they put into their
mouths as well as the messes they make in the process.