Family fitness ? shaping up together

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Summer vacation is over, the kids are bundled off to school and you?re faced with a new routine. Packed lunches, no children in front of the television, no children to motivate to get outside and play. No-one that is, except yourself.

Grown-ups tend to attack battle of the bulge woes with a vengeance. But if you?ve been hanging out with the kids, snacking on packaged foods and only exercising with them, chances are you?ve put on the pounds over summer break. And so have your children.

While a few pounds is not important, childhood obesity is a serious problem that is often dismissed as temporary ?baby-fat? , and can seriously form a child?s perception of body issues and food relationships into their adult years.

Sport is much less appealing than sedentary leisure activities such as video and computer games?leading to the fat getting fatter, putting them at risk for all kinds of serious health issues and often missing out on a youth of exciting athletic experiences.

According to the World Health Organization, close to 20 million children globally are obese ? with children in developing countries holding a surprising one-third of the obese population. Approximately half of North America?s young teens are completely inactive throughout the year.

Obesity is caused from an energy imbalance, when energy consumption exceeds the amount burnt off (with a small percentage related to medical or genetic factors). Even if your child is at ideal weight, activity should still be a crucial part of their day.

To address the big picture of youth health and fitness, we need this awareness, action and education of this lifestyle. Healthy influence needs to continue on its current track of hitting children?s attention everywhere, not just in the home; schools, after-school programs, media, games, school canteens, advertising. Wholesome foods can be increasingly advertised towards children in a fun, appetizing way ? instead of broccoli being the evil brother of cheese whiz, and water something you drink when you?re out of Pepsi.

We can walk to school with our kids, and play sport with them where possible ? which will also help parents meet the recommended hour of daily exercise. Increase your families physical activity levels; plan an after dinner walk instead of watching television, buy some cheap tennis rackets and hit the ball around on the local court, shoot some basketball hoops at the school near your house.

You?ll always find an activity the whole family can enjoy. Kids might complain as you try to drag them out of the house, but will no doubt thank you in the long term ? the point is not to turn family exercise into a chore, but as an opportunity to feel great and have fun! ?Its our responsibility as members of this planet, to live in a sustainable community based on the values of health and fitness. Not only will the gift of active living stay with your children forever, but will pass them through generations. Now isn?t that reason enough to turn the television off?

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