How Parental Involvement Helps Curb Childhood Obesity

With childhood obesity on the rise, it is obvious that children are not exercising. Summer is here but so many children will spend their time off from school in front of televisions and computers.

Take into account that today in many suburbs there are a lack of parks in walking distance from homes. So now parents have to drive their children to parks. Many children today simply do not walk anywhere.

The simple games we played as kids were a great source of physical activity. No special equipment was needed just fun and a great imagination.

Simple games like tag, hide and seek along also red light- green light are great free ways for children to get exercise. Parents do not be afraid to join in the fun. This is a way for adults and children on your block to bond.

A great way to get the community together as a whole on exercise, are softball or wiffle ball games. Children do enjoy when their parents take the time out to have fun with them. Get together with a couple of families on you block and simply just set up teams. You can make it girls against the guys. Or the families who live in the even numbered housed against the families who live in the odd numbered houses on the street.

Something I rarely see these days are young girls playing jump rope/double dutch. Again, a very inexpensive activity. Also for little girls, box of chalk and few soda bottle tops are all you need to get a game of hopscotch going. Melt some candle wax inside the bottle top to give it a bit of weight.

If you do have a few extra bucks to spend and you've finished paying off that Play Station 3 you charged on credit card last Christmas; buy an outdoor basketball hoop for the family.

Of course there are roller blades and bike riding. The whole idea is to engage in physical activity with your children. When you make exercise fun for your kids, the will not think of it as a form of punishment.

As far as diet goes, summer and ice cream go hand in hand. Hot dogs and hamburgers are also known summer fun foods. I do not suggest that you forbid you children from having these summer treats, but do practice moderation.

Do not wait until a pediatrician recommends a change of diet and more exercise for your child. Throw away excuses for you child. I have heard parents make outrageous statements like "Big bones run in my family." Unless your relatives are Neanderthals, I highly doubt anyone you are related to has "big bones".