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Infant Rider

Children's Fitness

Europe 2006 : It was suggested that children as young as 12, should be offered anti-obesity drugs and $12,000.00 stomach stapling surgery as part of a package to help tackle the childhood obesity epidemic.

Facts

26% of the child population in Canada are classed as overweight/obese

Childhood obesity is rising at alarming rates worldwide

It is a serious problem that develops over time

It cannot be resolved overnight

It cannot be resolved with such drastic measures

It is true, that prevention is better than cure, but we have to tackle both side of the dilemma. We not only need to show our children how to lead healthy active lifestyles in a bid to prevent childhood obesity, but we also need to address any current weight concerns our children may have, by showing them how they can achieve a healthy weight through exercise and diet.

Studies have shown that our children are spending less time outdoors, riding bikes or playing, in favor of sitting in front of the television playing video games, and we need to show them that exercise can be fun, and it doesn’t have to be considered a chore.

Overweight children often feel too conscious or intimidated to participate in team sports or other types of exercise, they often suffer from low self esteem, lack confidence, have a negative body image, feel socially isolated, and can even be subjected to bullying and teasing.

There are also health consequences associated with childhood obesity, which can include,

• Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance
•  Type 2 diabetes
•  Hypertension
•  Sleep apnea
•  Impaired balance
•  Orthopedic problems
•  Cancer
•  Depression

Programs focusing on physical exercise and diet, not only helped improve our children’s weight and health concerns, but saw improvements in their balance, coordination, strength, endurance and motor skills.
Our children are very impressionable and look to us for guidance, and it is apparent that toddlers in the 3-5 age range enjoy ‘mirroring’ the habits of their parents. So, not only should we try to encourage our children to exercise and eat healthy, it is equally important for us as parents to be physically active and to exercise, so that our children learn good healthy habits by example.

The following are reasons why it is so important for us to encourage our children to participate in physical activity.

1. Children who exercise and engage in sporting activities regularly are more likely to continue exercising into adulthood.
    
2.  Exercise helps children achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
    
3.  Regular physical activity helps build and maintain strong, healthy muscles, bones and joints.
    
4.  Exercise aids in the development of important interpersonal skills such as team building - this is especially true for participation in team sports.
    
5.  Exercise helps improves the quantity and quality of sleep.
    
6.  Research had shown that exercise promotes improved school attendance and also enhances academic performance.
    
7.  Children who exercise regularly tend to have greater self-esteem, confidence and a better self-image.
    
8.  Participating in regular physical activity prevents or delays the development of many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension) and promotes health.
    
9.  Children who are active report fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
    
10.  Exercise helps improve motor coordination and enhances the development of various motor performance skills.