Posts filed under 'Childhood Obesity'
The Children’s Global Foundation
ONLINE FUNDRAISER FOR THE KIDS – OVER $60,000 OF RETAIL PRODUCT AVAILABLE!!
Great Cause – Help us Raise $10,000 for the Prevention of Childhood Obesity!!
Fantastic items up for auction in support of The Children’s Global Foundation. All proceeds go to phase 1 of the foundation!
Go and check it out for yourself but most importantly share the auction site with all of your friends.
95% of the items are shipped worldwide so everyone is invited.
Auction is listed at http://www.gobid.ca
Our goal with this auction to raise $10,000 over the next two weeks.
This is an online auction so everyone can check it out.
We appreciate your support to help us help children around the globe.
Add comment March 3, 2009
Obese Children may be at Risk for Early Heart Attack
A new study has shown that overweight and obese children may have clogged arteries that could lead to a possible heart attack before the age of 30! This should be a huge wake up call for parents to become good role models for their children. Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity could be taking years off your child’s life.
Please contact me with any questions on how you can get your child eating better, or becoming more physically active.
Kristy Lee Wilson
Add comment November 14, 2008
Owning a Dog May Help Combat Childhood Obesity
A recent study conducted at Deakin University in Victoria, Australia indicates that owning a dog may be the remedy for hours spent in front of the television or computer screen, which contribute to childhood obesity.
The study showed that children aged five to six years of age were 50 percent less likely to be overweight or obese if they owned a dog, compared with those children who didn’t have a dog.
The study also found health benefits for older children with dogs.
So how can owning a dog decrease the chances of children becoming overweight or obese by as much as 50 percent? Here are my thoughts:
- Children and dogs love attention, love to play, and love have fun
- A dog will gladly play chase around the backyard with a child and children love to be chased
- Dogs will play soccer, chase balls, play tug-a-war, chase Frisbees, and be a keen participant in any other game a child wants to play
- Dogs can be very silly and entertaining! As a dog owner myself I am constantly laughing at my dogs and the silly things they do.
- Even when a child is sitting watching television, they are more likely to be wrestling around on the carpet or playing with their dog instead of munching away on junk food and sipping soda.
Instead of spending hours a day sitting down being inactive, our children need to be up and playing. Owning a dog can be a great way to keep a child active, entertained, and having fun, which is what we are trying to do in our fight against childhood obesity.
Add comment November 4, 2008
Total Lifetime Fitness Interview
In our Total Lifetime Fitness Radio Network Interview, Kristy Lee talks about how people can stay motivated to follow-through on lifetime training programs and how people can realistically fit exercise into their day. She discusses the childhood obesity epidemic and the long-lasting benefits of sports participation for children. Importantly, Kristy Lee discusses how parents can help their children to become healthier and more active.
Add comment October 21, 2008
Do Your Kids Exercise?
A recent study from the University of Washington showed that more and more 2-year olds are regularly watching television. This sets the stage for a sedentary life with an increased risk for obesity and heart disease.
Now that last statement wasn’t from the study – that was my own prediction.
But really, the statistics don’t lie – a study done at Johns Hopkins concluded that a child’s weight increases with the number of hours they spend in front of the television each day.
Are you cringing yet? What parent hasn’t popped in a DVD to occupy the kids for a few hours?
And what about your child’s diet? How often do you find yourself in the drive thru line ordering another cheeseburger and fries?
Childhood obesity is now described as an epidemic. It puts your child’s health at risk, and makes them more susceptible to problems involving their cardiovascular systems, endocrine systems, and even their mental health. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression, and low self-esteem are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problems looming over the heads of overweight children.
I’m not telling you anything that you don’t already know. It doesn’t take a study done at Johns Hopkins to discover that kids today are putting on weight in ways that we never did – you just have to open your eyes to notice.
The ‘why’ is simple. It goes back to the basic equation for weight gain: energy in versus energy out. Kids eat too much and do too little.
But I have to ask… are you setting a good example by your eating habits? This may be a painful question to want to answer – but the truth sometimes hurts (and is good for us).
Maybe you’ve noticed that your child has begun to put on a little extra weight – what do you do about it? No matter what age your child is – weight is a sensitive issue.
What do your kids eat?
Think about your child’s diet. Do they eat three balanced meals a day? Do they eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day? Are they limited in their servings of fried, processed, and sugary foods?
Maybe you aren’t sure what your kids are eating. Do some investigation by observing and talking to them about what they eat.
Identify the foods your kids are eating that are rich in calories but lacking in nutritional value. Examples: candy, fast food, chips, cookies, soda pop, and pizza. Replace these foods with fresh nutrient dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and low fat dairy.
How much activity do your kids get?
Computers, video games, and satellite T.V. are our children’s latest and greatest toys. Who has time to play outside when you are about to beat the hardest level, or your favorite show is about to start? Our kids participate in less physical activity and are more sedentary than any generation before.
Do you know how much physical activity your kids get each day? Some parents may think that kids are getting an hour of P.E. each day, only to find out that the school has dropped its P.E. classes.
A great way to encourage activity is to limit the time your children spend on sedentary activities, such as T.V and video games. Sign your kids up on a local sports team so that they can run and be active with other kids. Take the whole family to the park on a weekend instead of gathering in front of the T.V.
Monkey see monkey do
This issue really boils down to one factor: Parental Example. Your kids watch what you do even when you wish they wouldn’t, and this is certainly true when it comes to diet and exercise.
Do you model good eating habits, or do your kids see you indulge? Do you exercise regularly, or do your kids see you on the couch in front of the television all weekend?
As a parent, it is your unique responsibility to teach your children the habits that lead to good health. Since you know that obese children have a greater chance of remaining obese into adulthood, thus greatly increasing the likelihood of serious health problems, this isn’t a responsibility that you take lightly.
If your eating habits and activity level have slipped it may be time for you to turn things around. It’s never too late to set a positive example for your kids – the key is to act now.
Get Fit and Stay Fit!
Kristy Lee Wilson
Add comment October 15, 2008
FREE Childhood Fitness and Obesity Special Report
Learn how to reduce obesity in children utilizing good nutrition and exercise.
Inside this report:
- What is obesity?
- What factors contribute to childhood obesity?
- How do we put our kids on the right track to healthier eating?
- How can we engage our children in exercise?
- Obesity and self-esteem are synonymous in controlling weight gain.
- And much more!
Add comment October 10, 2008
