At AAP Fitness we are all about teaching fitness to children from an early age. AAP is and always has been about family. The new knowledge that Mom and Dad learn at AAP contribute to an overall healthier family. AAP Fitness New Tampa owner Chantil has three children with number four on the way? so if anyone knows the importance of creating a healthy balanced family, it is her!
Did you know that currently, 60% of all children in the US are obese?? These are staggering statistics especially considering most of these obese children are between the ages of 6-11. This is key because this age group is one which still heavily relies on the parent or adult guidance. Most of these obese children go on to become obese adolescents.
70% of those adolescents go on to become obese adults! Friends, I don?t know about you but this is a scary statistic!! It shows that these habits are ingrained from an early age and go on to drastically affect the course of a child?s life on into adulthood.
What makes this even more powerful however, is that this can be prevented! There are a multitude of things that are spawned from childhood obesity including low self-esteem, depression, bullying from other children, tremendous health issues including diabetes and heart disease! This is the first time in our history that children are being faced with Diabetes and Heart disease.
You must ask yourself? WHAT is causing this staggering rise? WHAT is causing this childhood obesity epidemic? Is it merely lack of parental guidance? Lack of knowledge? Or are there other factors?
At AAP Fitness, we believe it is SEVERAL factors combined. First and foremost, statistics are also showing a drastic rise in parents seeking careers. Many homes are left with both parents working full-time jobs and things such as ?home cooked meals? and prepared lunches are a thing of the past. Time for creating structure and teaching healthy habits within the household is lost.
In fact, 32% of 2-7 year olds and 70% of 8-18 year olds have a television in the bedroom! This is a huge factor in contributing to obesity. Not only is loss of sleep a MAJOR issue and contributor but so is mindless eating. WHAT are the kids eating you ask? Certainly not organic vegetables or nutritious snacks while munching into the wee hours of the morning.
Most of them are microwaveable nutritionally void foods and highly processed junk foods (see our blog post on ULTRA HIGHLY PROCESSED FOODS) Couple this with the genetically modified foods being put on the market at staggering rates as well as the chemicals and preservatives that are doused on them and the highly addictive additives you have a recipe for disaster literally. The scariest part is that food companies are marketing SPECIFICALLY to our children. They market to the child and once the parents ?give in? that is it. The foods are SO addictive that it becomes a vicious cycle. If you can create an addiction?. YOU can create a lifetime customer? and it ALL starts with a child.
Actually, it starts with infants (and formula) but we will save that for another blog post.
The saddest part of this epidemic is the unavoidable link between physical obesity and emotional scars that this child is left with as a result. Children are becoming more sedentary, less social, more depressed and more diseased than ever!
They are left to fend for themselves in many cases and nosh on foods that continue to cause weight gain yet, don?t fill them up. It is easy for a child to eat 4 microwaveable dinners but try to give them 4 bananas to eat. They are not getting the nutrition and continue to eat and eat and eat to fill a space that will NEVER be filled with DEAD food!
So? what is the solution? The solution is a multi faceted approach. First and foremost, it takes the efforts of the parents and family unit first. This is where a child learns crucial life skills. Did you know that by the age of 12 most children have ingrained in them EVERYTHING they will take with them through life? The first 12 years of teaching are VITAL! Start teaching your child as a toddler. They can?t get addicted to McDonald?s unless you let them? why?? Because they certainly can?t drive themselves there! YOU are control of what you allow.
Involving your children in the process of living a healthy lifestyle is one which can teach them AND bring you closer together as a family! Involve your child in preparing dinners. Get your teen to prepare one or two meals per week.
At AAP Fitness our programs are literally second to NONE! We offer children?s fitness programs and also modify and guide the parents on how to filter their healthy lifestyle over to their children. Kids fitness programs, Kids shopping trips and education are all a part of AAP?s mission. Our future is in our children!
This leads me to the next big thing! Exercise. Get rid of the video games, televisions and any other electronic distractions and set a family time during the week to workout! Go for a walk, bike ride or swim. Not only will you each be getting healthy together but you are establishing guidelines within your family that require activity. You are setting the groundwork for success.
The key is to make it FUN and make it a lesson! Engage your child in conversation about health and seek to learn them and what activities they like. If your child is older or already suffering from obesity? seeking the advice of fitness/nutrition professionals such as those at AAP Fitness is advisable. You want your child to feel positively affirmed and not attacked. The key is to reassure them and use a lot of positive feedback. Do not forget the incredible link between the physical and emotional connection.
Commit to ridding your home of ALL junk foods (chips, sodas, snacks and more!) and replacing them with healthy options and lots of lean veggies, proteins etc.
Tosca Reno has an entire line of books including several geared specifically for kids chuck full of awesome recipes! Try healthier alternatives to the common ?cookie? recipe and more! You will be amazed at what exists!
At AAP we know that you CAN achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle for your whole family. It takes time and patience but it can be done!
The health of your child depends on you. Don?t rush this vital part of their life.
Remember, KIDS are our future and they deserve the best start possible!
In health,
Team AAP Fitness
FOR MORE INFO ON KIDS FITNESS PROGRAMS AND NUTRITION:
AAP Fitness New Tampa- Chantil McLeod 813-997-2494
AAP Palm Harbor ? Alex & Ashley Poptodorov 727-385-7177
or check us out on the web at www.aapfitness.com
AAP Fitness would LOVE to hear from you! :) Have a happy and healthy day!
Source: http://aapfitness.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/new-tampa-fitness-kids-obesity-an-epidemic/
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