We have all heard or read over the years and watched as the alarming rates of inactivity and unhealthy eating habits have taken over the youth of today. This generation is reported to be the first generation that will not out live prior generations. While it is true we can point a finger at too much TV, video games and other media's, as well as excessive consumption of processed and convenience foods. As a parent I believe it is my responsibility to teach my children how to live a strong and healthy life—especially by showing how to eat the right foods and emphasizing the importance of exercise. While we don't have total control over what marketers and retailers bombard us with. We do have control over what we consume and how we choose to live. We can not rely solely on the government or schools to do it all for us. I don't think anyone is in a better place than a parent to model the life of their children. It is this ability to lead by example that will have the greatest affect on our children and their lives.
Physical activity shouldn’t be a chore or a dreaded event. Family fitness, where the entire family participates can be a fun experience creating beautiful memories and healthy habits. What greater gift can you give your family? When you feel and look great from a healthy fitness routine everyone shares in those benefits and not just from a fit body but from a fit mental and emotional state. Fitness spans all boundaries to improve our overall health and well being – something as important for kids as it is for adults.
Social changes over the last 50 years have had a huge impact on the American family. The effect of these new living patterns and family arrangements has been to reduce the amount of exercise most people get. The following statistics provide a health and fitness profile of the American family.
Children:
50% do not get enough exercise to develop healthy heart and lung systems
98% have at least 1 heart disease risk factor
13% have at least 5 or more risk factors
20% to 30% are obese
75% eat too much dietary fat
Adults:
64% do not get enough exercise to maintain healthy heart and lung systems
24% never exercise
35% are overweight
30% smoke cigarettes
Studies show that parents participate with their children in strenuous physical activity an average of once per week. Families can improve their health and fitness by taking the following steps.
Parents should act as good roles models when it comes to health habits.
Parents and children should talk about the importance of exercise.
Parents should help children realize that exercise can help them meet life goals such as happiness, and longevity.
Parents should teach children to take time to exercise.
Families should participate in exercise activities together.
Parents should set examples of how to incorporate exercise into everyday life. An example would be taking the stairs rather than the elevator.
Families should find ways to make reaching fitness goals fun.
Families should keep in mind that exercising together contributes to better family relations as well as better health.
Parents should limit their children's television watching as well as their own. In addition to reducing physical activity, TV watching adds to obesity. People tend to snack on fatty foods when they watch TV. A study of teenage girls showed a 2% increase in obesity for every hour of TV watched.
There are many great activities you can do as a family that will improve your fitness and your lives. Walking and jogging is one of those activities and can be great for all ages. It is easy, inexpensive and everyone can do it. While your neighborhood is the perfect place to head out the door, go online and look up local parks, lakes, and trails close to your home. There are so many new places to explore - just one more benefit to your family fitness routine!
Why not train together for the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon, half marathon or relay? You'll be leading by example, sharing a fitness goal together and creating memories and maybe a family tradition. Learn more about Kids Running America and our incremental marathon training program finishing the final mile at the kids’ event on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Colorado Kids Fun Runs at the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon.
Kids Running America