Jack Lalanne lived 96 years of health and happiness, mostly. His long life spanned the continuum of an unhappy sugar hooked child to a health conscious, vital adult. At the age of 15 he became a vegetarian, stopped eating sugar, and became physically active. Jack's life took a positive turn after hearing Paul Bragg, a nutritionist, discuss the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Yes, it's possible. An adult (teacher, parent, you) can have a positive impact on preventing or reducing childhood obesity.
Why should we care?
The health risks of childhood obesity are obvious and clearly stated all over the media: type II diabetes, heart problems, adult obesity. Socially, overweight or obese children tend to have an increased risk of social problems. From a societal point of view, this could translate to higher medical costs, decreased productivity, and unemployment, among many other problems.
What can a teacher do to help eradicate this growing epidemic?
1. Encourage healthy snacks. Of course, you would never judge parent's snack choices, but you can reward or call positive attention to snacks that contain fruits, vegetables, or pure, unprocessed foods. If you teach elementary school, join forces with your greatest ally, your school nurse. Together, you can create health related lessons that incorporate reading and writing about healthy snacks. Jack said, "If man makes it, don't eat it."
2. Model healthy eating. This one is difficult, but crucial. There are schools that ban the sale of soft drinks. Others prohibit students from bringing soda to school at all. Imagine the mixed message we teachers send when drinking soda or devouring Twinkies. Kids watch us carefully, even when we think they're not. Teenagers, especially, are on the lookout for hypocritical behaviors from teachers. Jack said, 'If it tastes good, spit it out."
3. Start a before or after school walking or running program. The Just Run program offers excellent resources for teachers and schools. My "Junior Running Club" culminated in the completion of a local 5k race. Jack said, "Anything in life is possible and you can make it happen."
What can a parent do to help motivate a sedentary child?
1. Limit the amount of time your child spends using technology. I know firsthand how difficult this advice can be to implement. As a mother of two teenagers, I can attest that this is much easier said than done. Here is where we need to be more clever and understanding than we are naturally inclined. Involve your child in sports, schedule technology free days or times, require that your child read a book in order to earn technology time, and serve as a good role model. You cannot judge your child for being a tech junkie if you are one yourself. Ouch, I know. My husband is into the "hiding" the computer mouse until certain tasks are done. It may not seem "nice," but it works. Jack said, "People don't die of old age, they die of inactivity."
2. Get them outside. This is where you might think that old timer "In my day..." speech coming on. Inevitably, here it is... In my day, I spent the whole day outside. I had to be reminded by my parents that it was getting dark outside. You might have had a similar experience. Much of the difference is generational (Facebook, Twitter, evolution of video games), but can it also be due to our own insecurities and the overwhelming desire to protect our kids. Think about this, if your child spends more time inside than out, the opportunities to burn calories, gain the benefits of vitamin d, and interact socially, are lost. Schedule activities and projects that require them to be outside. Younger kids can help you build a tree house, go on a nature walk, or interact with nature in fun ways. You could try to get your teenager to do outdoor chores, but you might be more successful if you invited them for a run, to challenge you in round of tennis, or go to the mall. Encourage your whole family to join a running, swimming, or other fitness program. Again, anything to get them outside. Jack said, 'Better to wear out than rust out."
3. Become your child's best role model. The first two puts some pressure on you, but most of the pressure is on your kid. This advice puts almost all of the pressure on you. Remember what it was like to be young? The memory is becoming foggy for me, but I still recall my vehement declarations and refusals as a teenager. I promised that I would never mimic the behaviors of the adults in my life. Years later, my intonation, inflection, word choices, behaviors, and mannerisms are almost identical to those very adults. Their good and bad choices have influenced who I am today. You can start eating and cooking healthier foods, stop complaining about your body, and make exercise an important part of your life. You could even enter a road race and bring your child along. Your positive behaviors will have a major impact on your child. Just remember, when they start to get fit, act as if it was their idea, not yours. Jack said, "First we inspire them, then we perspire them."
What can everyone else do?
1. Volunteer at your local school. My Junior Running Club was successful because of our parent volunteers. Some of the volunteers were local 5k heroes, while others just wanted to help. Contact the physical education teacher at a local school and get involved!
2. Donate to the National Childhood Obesity Foundation.
3. Fitness instructors and fitness studio owners can design fun and interesting problems that will engage kids.
Back to Jack...
Jack Lelanne has taught us many lessons, but there is one lesson that is somewhat hidden among the many. Childhood is the foundation for the rest of our lives. Young people will only be healthy, productive, and happy adults if the groundwork is solid. Jack's life could have taken a completely different direction. It was the intervention of an adult that helped create "the Godfather of Fitness." Young Jack became who he was because of an adult's powerful words. As a well informed and caring society, we have the power to influence this type of positive change. Imagine, you could be the one who influences the next Jack Lelanne.
Meg Hernandez owns Sublime Fitness Studio in Medway, Ma and teaches elementary school in Milis, MA. Find more information at http://www.meghernandez.com/
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