Fight Against Obesity and Depression With: Take a Child Outside Week - National Event

With all Children sitting more and more inside their homes and participating less and less in outside activities of any kind, it is no wonder that American children have become largely obese and lazy.

Schools are trying to take measure by censoring the food kids can purchase in venting machines and then in the same breath cut the funds for sports programs and PE. I am not sure if you see the sense in this, but I don't. Eh, I am just a mom, what do I know.

However, I must not be the only one questioning this wisdom, because a lady with a lot greater credentials then I had enough. Liz Baird, director of school programs for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, found her serenity heavily disturbed during a walk with her dog on beautiful evening. Noticing the lack of people outside and instead noticing all the lights coming from TV's in the Neighborhood, she decided to act. And that is were the Idea of "Take a Child Outside Week" was born.

If you want to learn more about this free Event you can visit their official Event Website.

Teachers and other organizations can contact Liz Baird at (909)733-7450 Ext 601 with questions or to offer financial support.

So why would we take our Children outside?
For one, our kids have lost touch with what goes on around them. They no longer feel connected to the natural world. Most of the time there extent of having a feel of Nature is the Discovery Channel on TV. Not that there is anything wrong with this fine educational Channel, but in comparison to taking a hike in a National Park or playing a sport it is sadly falling short.

Another very good reason is that is helps our kids to focus on School. Yes, we do need fresh air activities to clear those cobwebs out of our Brains. By getting the bundled up energy out and to good use, we are now able to focus better on what needs to get done. A well exercised mind and body is a more productive body.

Talking about exercised bodies, that brings me to the most important reason of all. Having your kids away from the snacks and TV and out side running, playing and doing other physical activities cuts the chances of your child being fat by several percent. Of course the downside is that you might just have to go outside with them, cutting your chances as well.

Don't know what to do while you are outside?
If taking a nice long walk on a hiking trail, biking or swimming is not your thing, don't worry there are more then enough activity Ideas listed on their site and even in easy to read categories.

A personal Idea is go canoeing, go camping, try a midnight walk and watch the stars.

I hope you will take the time and enjoy this wonderful Event. They have a list of Organizations on their website as well. Why not check it out and turn that TV off for a while.

Look for the additional bonus of saving electricity and sleeping aids. After a nice long day in the fresh air, you will be tired and sleeping like a baby.

Did you know that we are making our kids depressed and obese?
The news is full for this reason and that reason why our darling little kids are suffering greatly from obesity and depression. If it isn't this pill it is the lack of that pill. They are depressed because little Timmy or sweet Sue did not get the newest technical device on the market and you are just a bad parent. Maybe, it is the cellphone giving out radiations again. And let us not forget McDonalds who is putting a gun to their heads and forces them to eat oversized amounts of greasy fat dripping (oh wait those no longer exist anywhere) Burgers and fries.

Come on, it isn't any of this stuff that is making our kids depressed and obese. Granted there are a few who have legit medical reasons, but those may rank in the 5 - 10 Percent. The rest is our fault. Us the Parents; when we indulge our kids by shuffling food into their mouth to keep them quiet and out of our hair. When our Idea of quality time is sitting in front of a TV. When instead of giving our kids a ball and other fun stuff, we hand them a Nintendo instead. We are what is making them depressed by inducing a Nature-Deficit and we are making them obese, because we our-selves have lost the ability to know when enough is enough. Let us stop this, look and take their mental and physical health back. Quit telling Restaurants and Fast Food places how to cook their meals and take all the taste out of the food, instead let us join this wonderful event.

Take our kids back into Nature and have fun with them. Teach them to quit eating when they are full and not to eat out of boredom. Give them sweets in the form of fruits and other good for you snacks. Ice Cream and chocolate is ok, as long as it is in measure.

If you think I am just an opinioned fool, then I urge you to read Richard Louv's Book: "Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder." I guarantee you it will open your eyes too. And as I said before, if you won't listen to me, why not listen to those with higher degrees then I can show.

I hope you will consider this Event and sign up with them. As I said it won't cost you a thing besides some energy and time.