We’ve seen our world change dramatically in the past 30 years. But, with all these technological advances, we are falling farther and farther behind in taking care of ourselves and our children.
Today’s youth have been marked as the first generation not to outlive their parents. Simply put, my children could die before me. That’s not the future I want for any child.
The percentage of today’s youth considered to be obese has tripled in the past 30 years. In 1982, the obesity rate was only 5.7% for kids age 6 to 17. Now, the rate is over 18%. Obese is a severe term. For children, it refers to any child who falls in to the 95th percentile or higher on their age and sex specific growth chart. Nationally, this equates to 12.5 million children.
Until recently, health concerns related to being overweight have been an “adult” issue. Sadly, this is changing. Kids are now being treated for diseases previously unseen in childhood, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and gall stones.
Our children need us. They need a parent, friend, relative or role model to teach them how to live well and how to take care of themselves. It’s time to remember the activities of our childhood and share them with our kids. How about tag, hide and seek, climbing trees, riding bikes and building forts? We played, ran, skipped, jumped and swam. Our bodies moved from the moment we woke up until bedtime. It was fun and not a requirement. Food rarely came in a box and many of us ate at home with our families. Show your children how much fun spending time being active and sharing time together can be!
Resources are all around, arm yourself with information and put it into action: get outside and play!
• www.cdc.gov – Center for Disease Control and Prevention offers informational resources on many health related topics
• www.letsmove.gov– First lady Michelle Obama’s initiative; America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids
• www.choosemyplate.gov – US Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines for all Americans
• www.casafamilyday.org – Family Day: A national initiative to remind parents that what your kids really want at the dinner table is YOU!
• www.chesco.org/ccparks - Chester County Parks and Recreation directory of parks, trails and seasonal events
• www.activatechestercounty.org – Activate Chester County lists local events, resources and ways to get “Move More, Eat Smart, Create a Supportive Environment”
• www.ymcabwv.org – YMCA of the Brandywine Valley offers programs and resources to get the whole family active and moving, Girls on the Run, STRIDE, Activate Kids and more.
Rachael Martin is Director of Healthy Living and an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer at the Jennersville YMCA, West Grove.
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