We have the highest teenage and childhood obesity rates today than at any other point in the world’s long history. Much of the blame for this is on the fast food, less energy society that we have become now.
Nowadays, we often feel that it is safer to keep our children inside our homes rather than out and in the outdoors. These things which we are doing for the protection of our children are actually dangerous to the health of our children.
There are things however that are being done to address the problem and get our children more involved, more active, and better educated about making the proper choices about diet, nutrition, fitness, and overall health.
The problem for most teens is keeping them away from the computer, phone or the television long enough to get active.
Even video games are getting in on the act of getting children up and active by creating games such as Play-station 2’s Dance Party Revolution and the new Nintendo Wii gaming system that seem to be taking the market by storm.
These systems allow consumers, to actively participate in the game rather than sitting back and playing the game in a static environment. It is the best way to get teens off their seats and make them active. These games are fun for adult's and they have the same effect when it comes to activity. Whoever thought we’d be actually encouraging game play for exercise?
1. Go outside and be Active
Teens learn by example and whether they care to admit it or not, they typically enjoy doing things as part of the family. We can do rock wall climbing or mountain climbing. Go bike riding together as a family. Camp in the out -doors and go hiking, boating, or biking again. Teach and Learn a new sport. It’s amazing how much fun you can have learning scuba- dive and while you are at it, neither of you will be consuming empty calories. Even if the sport you take up together doesn’t involve a lot of physical activity, it is quite likely more active than sitting in front of the television.
2. Recreational sports
Have your teen join a recreational sports team. We have all kinds of sports teams available in which our teens can join. Even those with no skills at all can join and play in some of the leagues which are competitive. Getting out for a softball game, soccer game, and even volleyball can be a great way for the family to do something together, and the games and practices are opportunities for your teen to be active.
3. Lawn Work
Lawn work is another way to get out and get active with your teen. The important aspect always is that our teen burning more calories than he or she consumes. It is often easy to say than to do it, but it is quite possible if you work to get them out and about. Find things that will be interesting to your teen and focus on those rather than torturing them with activities that hold no interest at all. At any rate, filling their time with activities is also allowing time that they aren’t consuming calories as well, and that is something worth considering.
4. Encourage to eat right
Encourage your teen to eat healthier foods. Eliminate calorie-loaded fruit juices and energy drinks from your pantry shelve's and encourage your teens to drink plenty of water each day. Introduce as many vegetables as possible to the diet of your teens and get rid of the prepackaged convenience goodies that teens are notorious for completing them in one sitting.
Also let your teen's to actively participate in the preparation and clean up for meals. This will help them pay more attention to the things they put into their mouths as well as the messes they make in the process.
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