Fast Food Ads on TV Partly to Blame For Childhood Obesity

A national study published this month in the Journal of Law & Economics says a ban on commercials advertising fast-food would reduce the number of obese young children by 18 percent while reducing the number of older obese children by 14 percent.

“If you consider the fact that if a child spends a considerable amount of time in front of the TV, they are going to get bombarded with food-related advertising,” said Leigh Tweddle, a registered dietitian and weight management coordinator at Spectrum Health. “Everybody looks very happy and they look very fit, and they look like if they eat this food, they’re going to have a good time, and that’s very appealing to a child.”

Very good and accurate quote according to our studies with MyFamilyExercise.com.  Those are two things you have to watch out for when it comes to your children.  Too much TV and false advertising have a direct effect on the health of your children.  That along with a lack of adequate kids exercise.

So, how can we combat this as parents?  You as the parent need to model healthy behavior for your kids.  Even if they happen to view fast-food commercials on TV occasionally, you will be able to counter that simply by living a healthy lifestyle yourself.  Remember, you are your kids role model, not the TV.

Kids exercise and nutrition should be a top priority of yours now and in the future.  Prepare yourself through education.  Read our articles, comment on our blog and research fun kids exercises.

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Lack of Exercise is Hurting Children

Ok, so I’m playing my title off of an article that came out recently called, “Experts: Lack of playtime is hurting children.”  This article is about having playtime during classes so that kids can learn creativity and social skills.

I don’t disagree that creative play-time is probably very helpful acquiring better social skills and it gives the kids a break from monotonous work.  I’m here to call for more physical activity time during school.  Yes, kids exercise.

In recent years we’ve heard about schools cutting back on recess time and some schools forbidding their students to even play tag! 

Encourage your kids to spend more time doing fun kids exercises rather then just sitting around.  You know, kids being kids.  I remember the good ole’ days in elementary school when we would actually look forward to running around playing soccer, kick ball, jump rope and other physically active exercises. 

Let’s bring back the good ole’ days!

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How Is Your Kid’s Exercise Going?

We’ve been writing this blog about family/kids exercise and nutrition since May 7, 2008.  We really want to hear from you.  How is your kid’s exercise going?  What’s working for you and your situation?  What isn’t working?

Believe it or not, your answers will help other parents out there who read this blog. 

Leave your kids exercise and nutrition comments below.  Click on the first link which says, “No comments” or “1 comment.”  We value your input and we hope you enjoy reading the information we put out there.  Our goal is to help you and your family become better equipped to live healthy lives.

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Obese Kids Have Arteries Like Typical 45-Year-Old

Researchers have come out this week to say that the arteries of many obese children and teenagers are as stiff and thick as those of a typical 45-year-old.  They say this could cause them to have severe cardiovascular disease in their 20s and 30s.

Dr. Michael Schloss of New York University School of Medicine says, “We’re facing an epidemic of childhood obesity.  We are raising a generation of children that are going to have a significant increase in vascular disease as they get older.”

The doctors say we can identify the condition early and possibly certain drugs can help.  What you won’t hear from these researchers is that your kids don’t even have to face this condition at all!  Now, if you have children who are obese, there is a way to getting fit and healthier.

The key is the term, “We are raising …”  That’s right!  It’s the parents’ responsibility to raise their children.  It all starts with you.  Some of you are doing a super job raising healthy children and some of you need to improve a little … or a lot.

I’m pleading with you right now.  I’m challenging you right now.  Make some changes.  You don’t have to do it all at once.  Gradual change is fine.  But please, please think about doing the following ASAP.

• Exercise with your children 30 min to one hour per day.
• Start eating healthier selections.  Get rid of processed food.
• Make sure you and your kids sleep 8-9 hours per night.
• Stress less

Go straight to our site to learn more about kids exercise and nutrition.  We have articles and past blog entries that are full of helpful information. 

Source: LA Times

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Positive Thoughts Help Kids Exercise

There are plenty of negative thoughts one can think during a typical day. Those thoughts, when verbalized, can pass right on to your children and affect the way they act. I challenge you to not only think positive thoughts, but to pass encouraging words to your children, especially when it comes to kids exercise and nutrition.

Have you ever had these thoughts before?

• “I hate exercise. I hate everything about it!”
• “I don’t have time to exercise for myself or my kids.”
• “The discomfort of exercise is something I want to avoid.”
• “It’s cold outside so I guess I’ll skip my workout with the kids.”
• “I’ll never lose weight myself and I don’t know how to teach my kids.”

Be honest. Have you thought or said those things before? Try these thoughts out next time.

• “I’m looking forward to exercise because I’ll feel good and my kids will also be healthy.”
• “My kids and I only need to exercise 30 min to one hour today! That’s nothing.”
• “The amount of discomfort is minimal compared to how healthy my family will be.”
• “It’s cold outside. No problem. We can do kids indoor exercises!”
• “If we work hard and are consistent with our exercise and nutrition, we will lose that extra weight.”

Try and stay positive and motivated towards exercise for you and your kids. Who cares if it’s cold or rainy outside! There’s plenty to do indoors.

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Staying Motivated in Colder Months

We have now entered the cold months of the year and for some, the last thing they want to do is exercise, let alone supervise kids exercise activities for your children.

I hear you.  This weekend was chilly and my body was telling me to sit down on the couch and relax the whole weekend. 

Sometimes your mind and body play tricks on you.  Keep in mind that your kids will feed off of your demeanor as well.  If you look tired and unmotivated, then your kids will most likely be the same.  There are exceptions, but for the most part, if you sit on the couch on Saturday, your kids will do the same.

It’s actually really easy once you gain some focus and plan it out.  Just think of this … 30 minutes.  That’s it!  Out of a whole 24 hour day, 30 minutes is an appropriate amount of kids exercise time.  Even one hour is nothing!

Just think for a second about the tremendous benefits of kids exercise and then think that to teach your children 30 minutes to an hour per day will benefit them for a lifetime. 

So instead of lounging on the couch with your family during those cold dreary days, start getting motivated to teach your kids indoor exercises that will help their physical development.

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The Benefit of Music and Kids Exercise

Have you ever thought of using music to enhance your kids exercise activities?  A 2003 study from the journal Heart Lung found that exercising and listening to music at the same time boosted cognitive levels and verbal fluency skills in people diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

What does this mean for your kids?  Well, other studies in the last few decades conclude that music can assist in stimulating whatever activity they are participating in. 

• The music can reduce your perception as to how hard you are actually working
• The music can influence your mood
• The music can set the pace of your kids workout
• The music can be used to battle fatigue

Try it out this week.  Listen to a few different types of music styles as your kids exercise and determine which one has the best effect and the one that most motivates your kids.

Have you tried music with kids exercise before?  What worked?  Leave your comments here.

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