by Kristen Paulsen

Created on: February 13, 2010   Last Updated: February 14, 2010

With the rising rate of childhood obesity and diabetes, parents need to become more involved in getting their children physically active.  There are many positive reasons that will benefit the whole family by teaching a healthier lifestyle.  Children rely upon their parents to teach them about the world, their health and provide not only physical, emotional and mental well-being, but the best path to a healthy adulthood.  Parents who teach by example will have children who will follow.  Parents that believe that a child should do as I say, not as I do will run into resistance and ultimately are setting their children up for the same path they might be on.  Exercise is key to avoiding so many healthy problems that are developed due to a sedentary lifestyle.  Let's address the main reasons why parents need to encourage exercise and a healthy diet and how they can help.

The main reason is obesity and all the subsequent problems resulting from being overweight.  Obesity is when a child is way above the normal range for a person in the same age and range.  The extra pounds that a child carries has the same negative effects as with adults and are leading to premature "adult" health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. There are also other ramifications such as a low self esteem, bad attitude and negative body image.  The main way of combating this is to eat healthier as a family and be more physically active.  Too much junk food and time on computers, video games and TVs often distract children from playing and being conscious of what they are eating.  childhood obesity sets your children up for lifelong health problems.

Diabetes.  Childhood diabetes or Type 1 diabetes on the rise.  This will cause a child to need insulin injections.  There are many long term effects of juvenile diabetes including: eye problems, increased risk of stroke, digestive issues, and sometimes kidney failure can result in mismanaged diabetes.  These are serious conditions which necessitate long term medical attention.  As a parent be smart and avoid setting your child up to this kind of life.  Monitor the amount of sugar and be mindful of weight issues.  It is best not to lecture your child about weight as you do not want to create eating disorders, however, the best way to teach is to lead by example.  Healthier choices.  Play a game, go on a walk or bike ride as a family as opposed to sitting a watching tv after dinner. 

With all the problems that lack of exercise can cause in our children, it is our responsibility to change.  Teach meal portions, teach healthy choices and make them available, know what your child is eating at school, eat together as a family, become more active as a family, snack less and snack healthy.  This type of change is a lifestyle change that will not only benefit your children, but the entire family.  It will boost self-esteem, create a higher energy level, foster relationships and overall positively affect the entire family.  It will be hard to make changes, but if we don't we will pay severely with our health and subsequently tax dollars through the health care systems. 

Learn more about this author, Kristen Paulsen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.