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The "Good Old Days" Are Now
Helping Our Kids Live Better Today
By Mark Stackpole
We know more than ever about the dangers of obesity and the importance of fitness, especially for children. However, despite this awareness, the rates of childhood obesity continue to rise.
"I think some people are aware of the importance of regular activity for our kids but unfortunately, there are still a lot of parents who don't realize the extent of the problem when their children are overweight," says Karen Merrill, president of Body Resolve, Inc.
Named 2004's Personal Trainer of the Year by the American Council on Fitness, Merrill would like to see parents limit sedentary activities like watching television and become role models for more physical activities like sports, walking and bike riding. When parents get involved with their children, everyone gets healthier and the family gets to spend more quality time together.
Merrill is also glad to see that parents are making healthier choices about food, especially meals and snacks at school. Soda and candy machines should not be a student's only choices at lunchtime. "Giving kids healthier options allows them more opportunities for choosing better foods," she says.
With so much competition for their entertainment time and money, kids are not spending a lot of time reading for pleasure. What is the largest weapon against this decline? The Harry Potter series, the ubiquitous boy wizard is just one of the stars of challenging and engaging literature that seem to be drawing kids back to books. These huge-selling books may be aimed at youngsters but their universal appeal leads not just to reading, but to a shared experience with the whole family. Daunted by the number of pages or uncomfortable with some of the subject matter from Harry? No problem, just pick something more appropriate in terms of vocabulary, tone and content. The goal is to have a child who is a good reader and who enjoys doing it.
