A Solution for Obesity In America Starts With The Children.

Finding a solution for the obesity crisis in America should start with the American child.It has been found that a large percentage of obese children will grow up to be obese adults .Surely this is the answer to America's obesity crisis.Teach healthy eating habits to young children ,make it fun to exercise,take any possible opportunity to involve kids in an aerobic activity.

Is this not the duty of the parents you may ask.I agree with you on that,but as we just stated obese parent also produce obese kids.To break this cycle of obesity, outside help will be required.I found this article about someone who has dedicated her life to do exactly that: Providing a solution for the obesity crisis in America.

Find A Solution For Obesity In America.

Ploeger: Childhood obesity is problem to be tackled by all ages

Barbara Ploeger, Enterprise columnist

Posted:   02/19/2012 12:00:00 AM MST

Cindy Stephens, one of the personal trainers at the Paul Derda Recreation Center, has dedicated the past 30 years of her life to building confident and healthy kids. Cindy's certifications include training and certification as a "Kids Camp Coordinator" with the YMCA, International Kids Alliance, Aerobic Fitness Association of America, and she is a U.S. Water Fitness Association certified personal trainer for group aquatic fitness. For 17 years while she lived in Florida, Cindy had her own "student fitness program," wherein she traveled to schools and churches, teaching youth about exercise and nutrition. Cindy developed her own curriculum, equipment and props for the games used in the program. Subsequently, in addition to being a personal trainer, Cindy has been an instructor of the Fun & Fitness program at the Derda Center for the past four years. This 45-minute class for ages 8 to 12 focuses on cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility training through a variety of fun activities designed specifically for youth.
Not long ago, Cindy approached me and asked that I write about something she is seeing more and more frequently with each passing year -- childhood obesity. There have been and continue to be numerous studies regarding the issue, as it creates concerns in a much larger population that just Cindy. There is almost an endless amount of material available, listing the reasons behind this development, or phenomenon, if you will. But the bottom line is that anyone, old or young, is at risk when they carry around more weight than is healthy, live inactive lifestyles and eat bad diets. The risks are almost the same across all age groups. They include physical challenges, such as reduced agility, stiff muscles and sore joints; diabetes; an overworked heart and circulatory system; and a compromised oxygenation system. Being overweight causes ongoing health problems of many varieties, but there is growing concern as these problems seem to be surfacing at younger and younger ages.
Cindy finds the growing number of overweight youth concerning for a number of reasons: When kids are overweight, they almost always suffer from low self-worth and self-esteem. Their sense of well being is compromised, as is their ability to move and feel comfortable around their peers (who, by the way, often tease and taunt them because of their weight). They are less inclined to participate in organized sports activities, because they become short of breath long before their healthy peers, and sometimes lack the coordination and knowledge needed to feel able to participate.
Being overweight is indeed an uncomfortable position in which to find ones self, especially in the early formative and highly impressionable years of life.
Cindy feels compassion for youth in this situation, and has a great passion for helping them feel and do better. She has some helpful suggestions to share, which I will cover in next week's column. In preparation for that, I will state a finding that Cindy passed along to me -- a high percentage of overweight youths have one or both parents who also are overweight. This can be because of genetic tendencies, as well as environmental factors, such as family traditions, lifestyle and nutrition. Often, the adage "monkey see, monkey do" applies to youths' health.
Good health and fitness is a family affair, not a singular responsibility falling solely on our youth. Tune in next Sunday and read some of Cindy's helpful ideas on how to promote good health and fitness in our families, while having a lot of fun and developing a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
Barbara Ploeger is the marketing specialist for Broomfield Recreation Services. E-mail her at bploeger@broomfield.org.