As a nation, we are all getting fat. Very fat, apparently. Worryingly, our kids are getting fat, too. The Department of Health claims that a whopping 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children are now obese. The prediction is that if nothing is done about the rising levels, by 2050 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children will be obese. Move over USA, the new big boys are in town. What can we do to help stop this trend in its tracks and protect our kids from possible future heart and liver problems, diabetes and even cancer? Ensuring they eat the right foods is a good place to start. Seeing as we control most of what they eat, it shouldn't be too hard a thing to achieve, either. Getting our kids away from the computer and TV and doing some form of exercise - now therein lies the real challenge.
Setting a good example is key. If we, as parents, are obese and sedentary, how can we hope to encourage our children to be fit and healthy? We need to take time out of our weekend to play some active sport with our children. We could play squash or tennis with them, get them involved in talking the dog for a walk, or simply head to the playing fields with a ball for an hour or so. The bravest among us could even turn the radio on and dance round our kitchens to music. At least it will get a laugh. Perhaps this should be avoided if the children have friends over, though, unless you want your Dad dance moves mimicked round the playground indefinitely.
Setting a good example should start from the very beginning. Babies and toddlers are more impressionable than you might think. Even if they can't talk yet, you can be sure they understand much more than you imagine and they will take their cue from you. It is important that they can see that you make time in your day to exercise. If you don't consider it to be important, why should they? Simply having gym membership to a facility with a crèche will implant the right seed in their rapidly expanding brains (provided you use it, of course). If your baby isn't walking yet, put him the pram and take him for a walk every day. Yes, even in the rain. Being outside in the fresh air is not only stimulating for the baby, it's good for you, too. Raising your activity level now will ensure you have the energy to raise theirs as they get older. If you can afford it, baby and toddler classes that encourage movement and dance will ensure the little ones are stimulated and exercised. If you can't afford the classes - and some, sadly, are incredibly expensive - try your local sure start centre as they often run free classes for pre-schoolers. Baby and toddler classes are also great fun for the little ones and a chance for them to socialise (in as much as they do socialise at that age), which in turn helps them learn to enjoy being active. Failing class availability, there's always the park or, of course, kitchen dancing.
It is possible to take the idea of children's exercise to extremes, of course. There is a new concept in the gym world; that is gym membership for children as young as five. This might be well intentioned, but with the best will in the world surely this is not a great approach. Five year olds with gym membership lifting weights? With an equally worrying trend amongst children of anorexia and bulimia, surely this just endorses a body-obsessed mind set? Can you imagine a six year old with a six pack? It makes you shudder to think how they would look at bodies as they reach their teens and early twenties. Encouraging a carefree, energetic attitude to sport is one thing. Instilling the idea of a perfectly sculpted body is quite another beast entirely and fuels the already ingrained insecurity surrounding body image. Not to mention the effect that resistance training on machines could have on a young developing body. As a representative from the British Heart Foundation has pointed out, young footballers often have problems with their legs as they get older and too much exercise can put a strain on young immune systems.
That is not to say that the general idea behind the junior gym is not a laudable one. Being active from early on instils a good mind set and attitude towards exercise for the future. Anything that gets kids away from the TV is to be praised. Getting children into exercise at a young age is undoubtedly a good idea, so long as we don't take it too far and push our kids to extremes. Primarily, exercise should be fun; otherwise it will be seen as a chore and sooner or later a thing to dread. Playing team sports can be fun, encourage social skills and build confidence. What to do with the uncoordinated child who is picked on by fellow team mates though? This will only dent confidence and certainly won't be fun for the unfortunate child. Luckily, being active doesn't have to mean structured activity. The guidelines suggest children do one hour of moderate exercise a day, which means that simply walking to school and playing outside or in the park will ensure a decent level of activity. Just ensure they don't undo all the good work by stuffing their faces with junk food afterwards.
To find a local gym with a crèche, children's swimming pool or racquet sport facilities that you can visit on a pay as you go basis without the need for Gym Membership, visit http://www.payasugym.com/.
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