Summertime...and the livin is...Weighty

Summertime Post 1 of 4

American children are heavier than ever. Many people point their finger at schools: snack machines, high calorie lunches, and curtailed daily exercise. Jane Brody wrote in the NY Times, "Although schools are hardly off the hook, a study published in The American Journal of Public Health, which tracked the physical condition of 5,000 children as they passed through kindergarten and first grade, found that the biggest gains in body mass index occurred in the summer when parents had sole responsibility for their children’s diets and exercise opportunities." So keep an eye on your children folks. And be sure to lead by example: when you go out for that much-needed ice cream this time of year, remember all the low-fat and low-sugar options that are just as refreshing.

Summer is also an opportunity, an ideal time to start children on a wholesome nutritional track and to encourage enjoyable physical activities. Brody (as usual) gives some great suggestions in this article.

Summertime Week Posts:
1. Children gain more weight in summer than during school
2. Summer books: Bad Parenting stories are so funny (not)
3. (From the We-Kid-You-Not-File) Summer Strolls: the direction your stroller faces could affect your baby's language development
4. Seriously, you call this summer camp?

Children's Physical Activity Drops from Age 9 to 15 According to NIH

New research shows what we've known for many years. Television, computers...aka "screen time" are leading to a continual decrease in physical activity for children. Click here to read the NIH News release.

I pose the following question to parents: What statement will be more effective in getting your children to be more active? "Turn off that TV and go outside and play" or "Please join me in taking a walk now"

According to Dr. Philip Nader, author of the study, "Even walking for as few as 15 minutes a day would provide health benefits."