If your child is thin or at a healthy weight sometimes looks can be deceiving. Kids that don’t move enough and don’t eat well are not actually fit and healthy. Kids and teens usually have fast metabolism and they can still stay thin and have very unhealthy habits. This is why the goal for all parents should be to help their kids (even if they are thin) adopt healthy habits now to avoid future health problems.
The fact is that it is very difficult to be fit and healthy in our country. Today over 68 percent of adults are overweight and 39.8 percent are considered obese. According to a recent study, if current trends continue about 50 percent of adults will be obese by 2030. Obesity has been linked to many serious medical health conditions including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Currently obesity is the number ONE cause of death in the US as more adults develop heart disease early in life. The GOOD NEWS is that all this is preventable! My wife and I truly believe that adolescence is the most important time in a person’s life to start developing healthy habits. However, training kids and teens to build healthy eating and exercise habits is not always easy and takes patience and time.
Identify Bad Habits to Replace
There are millions of teens who are at a healthy weight but are also at risk of being obese as adults due to their poor health habits. Technology, busy schedules, fast food, and lack of exercise are all factors contributing to obesity and teens today are learning many bad habits that are very difficult to change.
Too Much Technology – These days, kids learn to use technology at such a young age that they spend their whole lives texting, playing video games, and staring at screens. The problem is that their bodies were created for movement and not this kind of sedentary activity which can lead to obesity.
A Busy Lifestyle – Even though it is better for teens to be busy than lazy, packing their schedule with too many activities leaves little time left for play and relaxation. It is important for kids to have fun and do their own exercise through play while still having enough time for relaxation to avoid burnout.
Fast Foods – According to the CDC, fast-food consumption has increased fivefold among children since 1970. The fact is a diet containing high levels of fat or sugar and few nutrients can cause teens to gain weight quickly. And poor health stemming from childhood obesity can continue into adulthood.
A Sedentary Lifestyle – The CDC recommends that children get at least one hour of exercise daily to remain healthy. Unfortunately, most teens today are sedentary and the more inactive a child is, the greater the risk of many major health problems including diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Focus on Healthy Eating Habits
Habits are actions and behaviors that we perform subconsciously and they are very difficult to break. Studies show that the habits that we develop early and are formed in childhood related to eating and exercise carry over into adulthood. And once poor health habits emerge they tend to be long lasting.
For example, research has indicated that 97% of people who lose weight regain it again within 5 years. Yes, our health habits are really that hard to change! That is why if you want to help your child develop good habits that are associated with a longer and healthier life you have to start at a very early age.
In a time when the most common vegetable eaten by teens is a french fry, experts say that the way our children are eating is laying the groundwork for a lifetime of heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health problems. To build healthy eating habits, it is important that all kids learn how to use MyPlate.
MyPlate is an easy to follow food guide that was created by the USDA to help parents feed their kids nutritious meals. With its new icon, it will teach your whole family how to eat better and help control portions. What your child eats daily now will have an impact on their health for many years to come.
You can start by helping your teen identify bad habits that they need to overcome. Include in the list ways to remove as many triggers as possible from your home. Example: If your child spends watches too much TV then set limits to screen time. If your child is addicted to cookies then get rid of them.
Make it easy for your kids to break bad habits and create new ones by adopting healthy habits as a family. Research shows that families that eat together tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less fried foods and sugary drinks, and their kids tend to pay more attention to their nutrition and fitness.
Schedule Your Free Class Today
At Kalina’s Fitness, we combine nutrition, group support, and exercise classes to empower kids with the tools they need to achieve their fitness goals. Our program is the only year-round, affordable fitness and weight loss program designed especially for kids and teens between the ages of 8 to 18.
We are driven by a strong belief that all children deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential. Let us help your child become an amazing version of themselves and schedule your free class today. We look forward to serving you and your family with excellence. Thank you for visiting us!