The 10-Year-Old with Six-Pack Abs

Have you heard about the 10-year-old boy with six-pack abs? You can see his picture and read more about him at ABC News. Personally, I’m not impressed. In fact, I am a little put off by the whole thing. First of all, does a 10-year-old really need to have six-pack abs? Can we just be a normal, healthy 10-year-old? Second, isn’t it sort of exploiting him with producing workout DVD’s? I mean, I totally understand the intent is probably to motivate other children to get healthy but this seems a bit extreme to me. I also find it odd that … Continue reading →

Should Children Lift Weights?

Last year about this time I attended my first preseason football meeting for my son who was going into 6th grade at the time. I had no idea what to expect and how much work it would be for him. The meeting covered more than just practice times and how to get your uniform. It also included information on the importance of nutrition and what the boys should be eating. They also talked about exercise and stressed that the middle school students would not be utilizing the workout room, which was reserved for high school football players. One of the … Continue reading →

Be a Healthy Example to Your Children

We really are our kid’s best example. While we strive to make healthy changes to our lifestyle, we should be making sure that our children embrace the same desire. If we don’t pass on a healthy lifestyle to our children, then we are just setting them up for future health problems, let alone self esteem issues. Obesity is a real problem in this country and it is becoming an increasingly significant problem amongst children. It is easier for children to not be active—computers, television, video game systems, iPods and the like are drawing children to become couch potatoes. As parents … Continue reading →

Walk to School

When my children were younger I walked them to school during the warmer months. It was great exercise for all of us and helped wake my children up in the morning. Now that they are older, in different school districts and I drive other kids home it is not possible. However I can’t help but notice that so many parents from my neighborhood school drive when they only live a few blocks away. The best way to teach our children anything, including fitness, is through example. If you only live two blocks from school yet you insist on jumping into … Continue reading →

National Campaigns to Fight Childhood Obesity

It all started with Michelle Obama. Her “Let’s Move” campaign kicked off earlier this year with the hope of helping to stop childhood obesity. Now the effort is expanding to include some famous stars that many kids look up to. Last Saturday was the “Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day” which announced its fitness campaign for kids. Some of the stars that came out and hope to be a positive influence in the importance of a fit lifestyle included: Jonas Brothers, Tony Hawk, Demi Lovato and former American Idol contestant David Archuleta. In addition there other top sports figures like Roger Federer, … Continue reading →

Should Government Be Involved In Fitness?

Recently Michelle Obama made some comments that ruffled quite a few feathers. In her efforts to launch a campaign against childhood obesity she made some statements about her own children that rose more than a few eyebrows. Some of the criticism stemmed from the mere fact that she used her own children as an example. Some critics believe that Mrs. Obama should have kept her children out of the discussion. Other criticism that arose was based on her doctor’s assessment that her daughter was overweight and needed to go on a diet. Critics believe there is a fine line between … Continue reading →

Children’s Fitness in Winter

Winter is in full swing and so that makes for indoor recess a lot of times with my children. When they come home, the first thing they want to do is turn on the television or sit in front of a computer or video game. Oh how I miss those carefree days of summer when they were constantly outside riding bikes, jumping on the trampoline or taking a swim. Even in fall and spring they were outside running around. But now we are stuck inside and they are losing the motivation to do anything physical. Since I started my treadmill … Continue reading →

Keeping Your Kids Fit and Safe This Summer

Now that school’s out millions of kids across the nation are spending their summer days having fun on the soccer field, basketball court and in the swimming pool. While these activities are great ways to burn calories and stay in shape, they often lead to sports-related injuries such as bruises, scrapes and broken bones. In fact, a new report shows that sports-related injuries accounted for 22 percent of hospital emergency department visits for children ages 5 to 17 in 2007. If you have an active young son, then you might not be surprised by the new findings. After all, according … Continue reading →

Do Your Kids Need More Exercise?

Health experts would answer that question with a rousing “yes,” and now they have even more evidence to support their assertions. A new study found that more than half a million 4-year-olds are obese. Even more disturbing, according to researchers, is the finding that nearly a third of American Indian children are obese. The study’s lead author noted that the findings are “of major concern” among children so young given that obese individuals are at very high risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancers, joint diseases and other health problems. If you are concerned that your child may be … Continue reading →

Fat Babies = Unfit Adults

According to a new study, infants who gain too much weight as babies are more likely to grow into obese toddlers, and later, obese adults. The research was conducted by doctors at Harvard University and Children’s Hospital-Boston and concluded that early eating and exercise habits are extremely important in shaping healthy adults. The study found that parents need to watch for cues from their children about when they are full, encourage them to drink plenty of water, and have them participate in activities that promote movement. The Harvard researchers noted that obesity rates among U.S. children have doubled in the … Continue reading →