America’s children are NOT to blame for being overweight!

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5-10-2022

It is a downward spiral. Childhood obesity is fast becoming a national epidemic, and the physical and psychological effects of being overweight can last a lifetime. While the topic of weight problems in children has become a “hot” topic in the media, too many families don’t have the right information or resources when it comes to teaching their children healthy eating habits and exercise.

Certainly, it is not easy being a child in today’s complex culture, where children have it harder than their parents, health-wise. Not only do they have to navigate a host of social hurdles in school, but overweight and obese children also face challenges, social and otherwise, far beyond those of typical teenagers. Today’s overweight kids, of which there are many, have to deal more often with discrimination from their peers and scrutiny from adults.

What we all need to understand is that placing, and displacing, guilt does not lessen a child’s suffering, nor does it make it healthier. And we shouldn’t just resign ourselves to believing that genetics is responsible for a child’s weight problem and therefore do nothing. Rather, we must teach America’s children to navigate society’s overabundance and easy access to junk food and fast food, and to make wise choices regarding their nutrition and fitness. Lobbying parents for more physical education courses in schools is a good start, but it is simply not enough.

As with adults, there is no quick and easy solution to weight loss in children. To solve a child’s weight problem, parents must help the child help himself by modifying and controlling dietary intake, physical activity, and lifestyle habits. They should also look for resources that can help their child start making small lifestyle changes RIGHT NOW that, combined, will lead to big results. Solutions do not need to be the result of clinical trials or doctoral-level dissertations. There are many new products on the market today that have been brought forth at the grassroots level by Americans who are not only concerned about the health status of children across America, but have decided to take action:

  • As the author of “It’s Not Your Fault You’re Overweight: A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment, and Achievement for Overweight and Obese Kids” (www.notfault.com), I am among those offering a new and unique resource, not just for those children who are struggling with weight issues, but also for those who are within a healthy weight range to stay motivated to continue making wise lifestyle choices and to better understand and empathize with their peers who are currently struggling with a weight problem.

  • The eDiets.com Trim Kids(TM) Personalized Plan online is another great solution to help overweight parents teach their children healthy eating and exercise habits that can last a lifetime. With a personalized meal plan, fitness guidance, and expert support, you can’t go wrong.

  • Fitwize 4 Kids (www.fitwize4kids.com), a national chain of kids’ gyms that promote teen fitness, health and wellness, is another new resource that I applaud. The company’s unique approach combines physical activity and fun through methods designed specifically for children ages 6.5-15. Fitwize 4 Kids programs build self-esteem and teach kids how to implement proper nutrition and exercise habits into their everyday lives.

  • Grandma’s Healthy Kids Club (www.grandmashealthykidsclub.com) is another wonderful resource packed with tools to help kids stay healthy. From “Yum Yum Plates” – fun, hand-painted plates that help teach kids about portion control, teen exercise videos, pedometers and other kid-friendly equipment, to a variety of children’s health books, Grandma – Bev Gray 61-year-old of Indianapolis, Ind.- He is certainly doing his part, and it’s an effort I wholeheartedly support.

  • Another great frontline solution is “Thumbs Up for Healthy Living,” an educational program that promotes nutrition education, physical activity, and home learning-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Guided by the playful character known as Skipper the Thumbs Up guy, kids learn about proper nutrition, good eating habits, and a basic fitness program in a language they can understand. The show features the patent-pending (www.ezrope.net) classic EZ-Rope(TM), the jump rope without the middle(TM) that allows kids to get the physical benefit of jumping rope without the hassle, as well as a Thumbs Up For Healthy Living interactive workbook, Total Conditioning Cardio with EZ-Rope DVD, and Thumbs Up Thermal Lunch Bags, among other resources.

  • Let a former NAVY SEAL instructor and ACE-certified personal trainer take health matters into your own hands; FitDeck® Jr. by Phil Black (www.fitdeck.com) is an ever-changing 50-card exercise deck for kids ages 5-16. Fun, kid-friendly exercises require basic body movements and don’t require any equipment.

    These are just a few of the many examples of robust and relatively inexpensive products that can help families get up to speed in no time. Parents and children themselves must act now, as children in the United States are at risk for many complications of overweight and obesity. This is no small problem, as obesity is known to contribute to devastating illnesses and emotional depression. For the health of our nation and all of our futures, we must provide our children with the basics: the knowledge of how to live a healthy lifestyle and both the desire and the tools to do just that.

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