Children have enough energy for an army so we rarely think about focusing on a fitness routine. Yet, with the world becoming more sedentary, a rise in childhood obesity, and an increase in fast food and processed food consumption, preschool fitness is a concern. Even children as young as four years old are sitting far too long watching TV, playing video games, and snacking on sugary, chemical filled, high fat foods. If this continues the rise in childhood obesity will continue to rise along with childhood diseases like type 2 diabetes. We cannot sit by and watch this happen as our children sit by and watch the world from a couch.
A preschool child is at risk of obesity and health issues stemming from obesity if he has overweight parents, stays inactive, and eats a poor diet that is high in sugar and fat. The logic is clear. We all know that eating poorly and staying inactive will lead to weight gain. However, often this is not associated with children until they already reach overweight status. The best way to handle this is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Parents would be wise to cut out a large percentage of sugar in their child’s diet. Sugar hides in juice, crackers, fruit snacks, sodas, cookies, muffins, yogurt, and other common foods preschoolers enjoy. It is also a wise move to encourage your child to stay active. Go the park and play kickball or play two-square in the front yard to burn off some extra calories with your child. Get your child involved in a sport you enjoy so you can share it together. Children are more likely to stay active and eat healthy if the parents are the leading examples. It will be good for both of you in the long run. Make fitness a family affair starting as young as the preschool years.