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 he began “working out” at age five. That is a bit young to make it so formal. Kids that age just need to be kids, given the opportunity to run around and play.
What was most disturbing to me about this article was the comment he made about needing to sweat and that’s how you lose weight. That is true. However this can also backfire, creating an obsession with children in how they look. This can lead to dangerous things like going on an unsafe diet or injuring themselves while working out.
I don’t necessarily know that this is the right type of role model for children. Healthy is one thing but looking like a bodybuilder at age 10 is another.
I do realize our country desperately needs to do something about the health of our children. School lunches have been scrutinized and so have parents for allowing their children to live sedentary lifestyles.
There is probably enough blame to go around to everyone. But it’s time to stop the blame game and start focusing on ways to get our children healthy. Because the reality is that if we don’t go about it the right way, it can lead to disaster.
What do you think we need to do in order to help our children learn how to live fit, healthy lifestyles?
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Family Fitness with Your 5 to 10 Year Old
Family Fitness with Your Preteens and Teens
Photo by jeltovski in morgueFile