How to Get Your Kids Off the Couch

In the US, the risk of childhood obesity is no laughing matter. According to the CDC, childhood obesity now affects 17% of all children in America, a number that has tripled from only one generation ago.

Risks of Childhood Obesity

When a child becomes overweight or obese, they are at risk for a wide range of health issues that include:

•High blood pressure/high cholesterol
•Cardiovascular disease
•Insulin resistance/type II diabetes
•Sleep apnea
•Asthma
•Joint problems
•Fatty liver disease
•Gallstones
•And much more

If these issues are left untreated, obese kids can easily become obese adults. And obesity during adulthood will bring with it countless health risks that include diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.

How to Get Kids Active to Fight Obesity

As parents and teachers, it's important that we do our part to encourage exercise in children so that they can create healthy habits that will stick with them as adults. This is one effective and long-lasting way to fight childhood obesity and make sure that our kids remain in optimal health.

If your kids are addicted to the computer or video games, here are some tips that you can use to fight a sedentary lifestyle:

•Lead by example. It will be hard to get your kids off the couch if you aren't doing it yourself. If your family doesn't exercise regularly, start going on walks together after dinner or consider taking a fitness class with your children to get them involved. When your children see that you enjoy regular exercise and observe how it benefits your life, they'll be more likely to join in instead of resisting.

•Keep screen time to a minimum. Although most kids today watch television, surf the Internet, and play video games, it's important that screen time is limited to several hours a day and eliminated before bedtime to ensure a good night of rest. Although kids may fight this change at first, limited screen time means that kids have the opportunity to play outdoors or engage in other creative activities.

•Include friends. To add a social element to exercise that will make it more attractive, sign your kids up for a group activity, like a soccer team. Your kids will soon look forward to spending time playing and practicing with friends, and exercise will no longer seem like a chore.

•Take it slow. Each child is different, and regular exercise doesn't have to fit within a specific set of guidelines. If your child is more introverted, they may enjoy hiking with you one-on-one to collect interesting leaves and flowers instead of playing with children at the park. The point is to never give up when it comes to finding an activity that your child will love, as long as it gets them moving and helps break a sweat.

By promoting a love for activity, kids can stay interested in fitness while making it fun at the same time. Regular exercise is one way to help your child maintain a healthy weight and to improve their mental and physical health in the future.