Keeping Kids Fit

C

hildhood obesity is a real 21st
century problem. Without imme-
diate intervention, this generation
of children could grow to be the first in
history to have a shorter life span then
their parents. The problem is so epidemic
that it recently was the opening story on a
national television news show.
Preventing childhood obesity is now
being approached in a similar manner as
the anti-smoking campaign of the last 30
years. Hopefully, a change in mentality and
attitude will take place quickly so we can
have a future generation of healthy, pro-
ductive adults.
The statistics are grim; 17 percent of
children between the ages of 2-19 are over-
weight. This is not an issue of appearance,
but a health issue.
With this increase in obesity there has
been a parallel increase in the incidence
of Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was

once thought to be a disease encountered
in later life. Unfortunately, one of the nega-
tive side effects of Type 2 diabetes is heart
disease. The concern is: Are we
going to be seeing earlier inci-
dence of heart disease in our
youth because of this growing
problem?
The good news is that we
can do things to prevent these
problems. Preventing child-
hood obesity at a young age by
instilling good lifestyle choices,
rather then re-teaching proper
nutrition and attitudes at an
older age, is the best option.
Offer children healthy meals and
snacks, but don't draw excessive
attention to their choices; keep
mealtime pleasant.
Impress upon caregivers and schools
how important healthy lunches and

snacks are to your family. Consistency in
this manner is important for children to
understand that they need to eat nutritious
foods, eliminating sweets as a
reward for good behavior.
As adults, we need to model
healthy behavior for our chil-
dren by eating a nutritional,
well-balanced diet and exer-
cising regularly. Limit screen
time (TV, computers and video
games) to two hours a day.
Encourage children to play
outdoors with their friends
and participate in fun, active,
family adventures together.
Participating in organized
sports should be fun rather
then competitive, emphasizing
variety to avoid burn-out by adolescence.
Don't criticize your body or your child's;
model a healthy self-image, emphasizing

wellness and vitality rather then appear-
ance. We need to combat the mixed mes-
sage our children are getting from the
news media, luring them to junk food and
presenting extreme thinness as the ideal
body.
The time for change is now Let's assure
our children healthy, active, productive
lives by making these subtle changes. Just
do it! ❑

Denise Parr resides in West Bloomfield and is

an elementary physical education teacher in

Birmingham. She has a master's degree in exer-

cise physiology and has been a health and fitness

instructor for children and adults for 30 years.

5-2-1-GO

Eat 5 fruits and vegetables every day
Limit screen time to 2 hours per day
Get 1 hour of physical activity daily.

Edward Lichten M.D. Author, Practicing Physician and Researcher of

the Most Comprehensive Preventative Cosmetic and
Anti-Aging Medicine Program in the United States

TEXTBOOK
of
BIO-IDENTICAL
HORMONES

EDWARD M. LICHTEN,

F.A.C.S.

Men, Diabetes and Heart Disease

There are 50% more diabetics today in the U.S. than just 6 years ago. The
most exciting 'new' treatment is a 50 year-old injectable testosterone for
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reduce insulin and oral medication requirements by 50%.

Women, Migraine, Menopause and Osteoporosis

By adjusting a woman's natural hormones, diseases as diverse as mi-
graine, pain, PMS, menopause, libido and osteoporosis can be effectively
prevented and treated.

Edward Lichten, M.D., RC

189 Townsend street-Second Floor
Birmingham, Ml 48009
Telephone: 248.593.9999
Web: www.USDOCTOR.com

Why trust your health to anyone else?

1375450.

B10

March 27 2008

