Today, one out of three children and teens in developed countries are overweight or obese. Those extra pounds put kids at risk of developing serious health problems, which include diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. These stats are rising to 1 in 2 children in the UK and every year this is increasing. Our children’s soaring obesity levels are taking an emotional toll on their mental health and physical well-being.
Overweight children often have trouble keeping up with other kids and joining in sports and activities. Other kids may tease and exclude them, leading to low self-esteem, negative body image and even depression.
However, there is more we can do to help our kids. Diagnosing weight problems and obesity in children as early as possible can reduce their risk of developing serious medical conditions as they get older. As a parent, carer, or guardian you can influence what food choices they make and educate them in the importance of supplying their bodies with the nutrition and physical activity that they need, you can also control the amount of screen time they have.
By getting the whole family involved, we can break the cycle of weight problems and obesity, boost children’s physical and mental health, and help them establish a healthy relationship with food that will last a lifetime.
If your child seems stressed, has mood swings and struggles sleeping and has difficulties focusing on school then they need more exercise in their life. They will become physically and psychologically healthier and will perform better daily. It can be difficult to implement this change straight away, but if you take baby steps in introducing more movement and healthier food choices in your child’s life, it will be worth it.
The recent #ETONMESS campaign has certainly caused a stir online and on the news in the UK, as always Jamie Oliver is championing his mission to get children eating healthier, this has been my mission at Coyote for a long time and the reason I created this kids club. I am a massive advocate for this new campaign. It would certainly help children’s health if Boris kept his initial promise of ending junk food advertising to kids and put more promotions on essential foods, however, alongside this their also needs to be a clear message that children need to exercise more too.
Increasing P.E in schools taught by fitness professionals would have a huge, positive impact on society too. We are passionate about movement and great motivators; besides I already think that kids spend way too long sitting down in a classroom working towards academic stats set by the government, they should have more physically active brain breaks and extra time for exercise in the school day, the children will concentrate better in class, grades will naturally improve and so will their class behaviour.
Tips for getting children more active daily:
· Encourage your kids to participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities. Team sports and after school clubs are great for building these skills and keeping active. Look for your local fitness class for kids, it does not have to be a team sport. Think creatively, we are not all into football and rugby!
· Establish a regular routine for physical activity. You can create your own family fitness time that works around your current schedule. Doing this collectively will keep you all motivated, and you will enjoy that quality time together. You can even look at getting a Family Personal Trainer who has good knowledge about age-appropriate exercises suitable for the whole family.
· Lead by example. If you make this active, healthy lifestyle change yourself, your children will too. You are their biggest influencers so make it your responsibility to show them the importance of taking care of themselves. You can start by walking to school instead of taking the car, use the stairs instead of the lift or even scootering and biking to school and to the shops.
· Most importantly, keep it fun. Your children will be more likely to continue if they are enjoying themselves.
Coyote Fitness UK has already begun its mission in stamping out this globesity epidemic in various communities and continue to change lives!
Do you have a Coyote Kids Fit Club in your area? If so, book in for your free taster class and start your child’s positive fitness journey with the Coyote Crew!
