Why Should If Care If My Child Is Fat, Overweight, Or Obese? What's The Difference?

How can we help our kids lose weight? Is it important that they slim down? Yes! It is vital that we "cut our kids down to size!" Extra calories are creating more than plump cheeks and chubby bodies. Unneeded calories are jeopardizing our children's health. Instead of worrying only about how to pay for college, add weight reduction as an important responsibility in the stewardship of your child's future.

Statistics show that overweight or obese children typically grow up to be overweight or obese adults or raise overweight or obese children who grow up to be...well, you get the idea. Part of the problem is certainly heredity. Our children may be born with an inner metabolism that predisposes them to weight issues. However, the eating habits they develop as children are often more to blame than their inherited tendency to be overweight.

Adults often don't know the basics of good nutrition which will lead to a lifetime of weight management. (This is why most adults are also overweight.) Many of us were raised by parents ("or parents who were raised by parents") who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's. The memory of bread lines and inadequate food supply has haunted their memories and they have developed attitudes about making sure they, and their children, get enough to eat.

After World War II when goods and foods, and the money to buy them, became abundant for so many people, there was an understandable desire to "live the good life". Women went to work leaving little time for food preparation... and the ready-made-meals industry was born! It wasn't until high-tech medical tools for research were developed in the late 50's and 60's that scientists began to uncover the relationship between what we eat and our health. (Remember the "damn the egg" move of the 60's? The relationship between eggs and cholesterol became routine conversation.)

It took several decades, however, for over-consumption of fats, sugar, sodium, and calories to deliver the brunt of their effect. We became a nation of obese people with heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. We are now in the "enlightenment" phase. We see the damage excess food habits and sedentary lifestyles have produced.

Start today to educate yourself and your children as to the problem (obesity is making us sick), and the solution (exercise and eating the right foods at the right times and in the right amounts). Our health as a family and as a nation depend on it!

Sue Bristol, R.N. says: "lose weight and lower your BMI"

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

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There is One Correct Diet

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Youth Strength And Fitness Should Highlight Fun And Movement!

There is no doubt youth fitness training improves strength and endurance, but packing on some muscle will probably happen too. This could help a lot of skinny, weak kids that are looking to improve the way they look and feel. Everyone is sitting and moving less these days! Kids should have fun playing games and moving freely while improving their body composition, motor skills, and coordination. And how about those positive social effects as our youth move around exercising and playing with one another. Doesn't every kid want to have a friend and buddy? It sounds like a win-win situation.

Remember those concerns about how we were going to damage the growth plates when kids lifted weights? Those outdated beliefs are all but debunked and so are stunting their growth and possible muscle injuries. The key is to provide well-designed and well-supervised exercise programs for our youth. When supportive practices are used strength training benefits and minimal risk of injury become very apparent. It doesn't have to be complicated to provide a great environment for our sons and daughters to develop their bodies and create great learning experiences for them.

Here is a list of general recommendations that provide safe and effective youth strength training practices:
Make sure your son and daughter is working with a qualified (professionally certified) fitness professionalHave a program designed with your child's cognitive development, physical maturity, and training experience taken into considerationMake sure the training or playing environment is safe and free of hazards....in other words...make some space available.Engage your youth in 5-10 minutes of dynamic warm-up (play) prior to any strengthening exercises or fun movements2-3 days of training (play) sessions are plenty while taking days off in between8-12 exercises which strengthen the entire body are very effectiveIf weightlifting, 8-15 reps (about 60% of maximum resistance) will provide great results in the beginningFocus should be on correct exercise technique and safe training procedures instead of heavy weights initiallyThrow in some balance and coordination exercises that are zany and challengingImplement more advanced and challenging exercises and fun that enhance power production when your daughter or son is ready

There is no minimum age requirement for youth training, but most experts agree age seven or eight is a general guideline. One of the most important practices to provide our youth though is a well supervised program of strength training. When we provide the guidance and support to young people, the physical activity help develops the body in a very healthy and nurturing way. The possibility of injury is minimized and our children learn a great habit at a very young age that will bring benefit to them for their entire lives. Just remember to have fun, play hard, and laugh with your child every day. Good things will happen.

Marin health and fitness expert, John Spongberg is the founder of Personal Training in Marin as well as an accomplished author, speaker and life coach. He is dedicated to helping people reach their optimum level of fitness, health and body satisfaction through a unique, comprehensive whole-person approach, customized to each client.

If you're ready, you can reach Mr. Spongberg at (415) 891-8787 or visit his website at http://www.personaltraininginmarin.com/ where you can download your free copy of his special health and fitness report, The Truth About Losing Weight.

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