The European Union’s health commission published some frightening, but not very surprising, figures regarding childhood obesity today: More than 400,000 children are overweight each year in Europe (!). The numbers for North America are no better. The 2 main causes of this epidemic are: poor eating habits combined with lack of activity. No surprise there either. This is, of course, a very complex problem and not easy to solve. IMHO, here are some key issues to cover:
1. Daily activity: We must encourage children to be more active. Much more active. A key problem is the way that 90% of all children are entertained: Playstation, TV, movies, etc. Instead, let’s bring back the joy and wonder of physical activity outdoors. Let’s take our children to the park, to the woods, to the mountains, to the backyard, to whatever is available. Encourage the wonder and excitement of being outdoors, go explore the woods, look for animals, go fishing, skiing, you name it. Any outdoor activity that is fun will teach a young child to love and appreciate what’s outside the Panasonic 35″ TV. I think this is one of the most important things we can do to combat the problem. be fun and exciting, not a drag or boring.
2. Physical activity at school: For some reason, the weekly amount of physical education in our schools has decreased. This trend must be reversed. We are going to increase the amount many times.
3. Sports: When enrolling children in sports, let’s focus on encouraging and establishing good attitudes toward training and healthy living and not focus so much on specializing at a young age or pushing children toward performance-oriented goals. That can come later. And, we must face a very important fact: Taking your son or daughter to soccer practice twice a week does not satisfy all of that week’s need for physical activity. Not even close. Studies have shown that activities organized by adults lead to 70% inactivity in children. It is much better to let them “run with the ball” and just supervise them.
4. Overprotective – I know this is probably easy for me to say as I don’t have kids, but parents are way too overprotective of their kids. Take a look at an average school playground, it will be completely free of natural obstacles (trees, etc.) or, if there are, all branches are cut to prevent children from climbing on it. “We” are all so worried and afraid that children might get hurt, that we create this unnatural environment for them. Let the kids explore their limitations, and yes, that means falling out of a tree, bleeding a little, and maybe even having to go to the doctor from time to time. I think children are much more resilient than we think. This overprotectiveness creates children who are, for lack of a better word, “sissies.” They are afraid of everything, they don’t want to go outside if it’s a little cold or rainy, etc. I also believe that this overprotectiveness will lead the child to look for other, more dangerous ways to get an adrenaline rush later in life (drugs, alcohol, etc.).
5. Eating habits at home: We need to create a simple, good and healthy diet for children at home. No more soda, fast food, donuts, candy, and other foods high in sugar and fat. Let’s go back to the traditional and simple diet that we used to eat. Some people might say it’s a “punishment” for the child if they can’t eat a donut and a soda, hell no! While he was growing up, he only had soft drinks and sweets twice a year (Christmas and New Years). That was it! Was he unhappy? No, I think I had the best childhood anyone could wish for. I was 18 or so the first time I ate fast food (training camp in southern Europe). Have good healthy meals, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That may mean spending more time cooking, instead of ordering pizza, etc., but think about what you’re doing for your child (and yourself). And I’m not talking about all these “popular” diets (Atkins, fat free, and whatever else there is). No, I’m talking about a simple diet accompanied by good raw products. Also, let’s bring vegetables and fruits back into our lives.
6. Food in Schools – Enter a public school now and see what is available for children to eat. It’s amazing! How the hell can we let this happen???? Soda vending machines line the walls, vending machines full of candy, VERY bad food served in the cafeteria, etc. I don’t know what to say about it, other than WTF!?
7. As a society we need to make changes – force schools to serve good food. Remove substandard foods from school property. Increase physical education in our schools, teach children healthy lifestyle habits. Let them play outside, even if it’s a little cold…
8. And finally, food manufacturers. Take a look at McDonalds, for example. What a great, great marketing plan they have. Happy meals, toys, a clown as a spokesperson, game rooms inside the restaurant, a McDonalds strategically located near almost every school in the western world, and a fantastic advertising campaign on every channel that children can watch. Can you get any closer to a “brainwashing” program? How the heck is it possible for a kid not to want to eat McDonalds several times a week after all that? And it’s not just McDonalds, they’re all doing it. All other food products on the market are full of unhealthy and unnatural “stuff”. Can/should we as a society enforce what food producers can and cannot market? I don’t know. But one thing is for sure, I am afraid, very afraid, of trying to raise a child in this world. I wish we could include this problem more on the international agenda. Forget the flu pandemic. There is a pandemic right now, and that is obesity.
