Cutting the Fat
In last month's
column, I lamented the declining emphasis on physical education in American schools
and the effect it may be having on today's young people. That effect may be "a
serious public health issue," according to a recent article in the prestigious
New England Journal of Medicine.
With findings based on a series of studies, the article states
that as many as 15 percent of today's American youth may be overweight. This
is up dramatically from 5 percent in the early 1970s. As the rate of obesity
rises among these young people, so too do the risks that they will develop Type
2 diabetes and other conditions that can result in circulatory and coronary
problems for them in adulthood.
"The rising prevalence of obesity indicates
that, increasingly, young people have an energy intake that exceeds their energy
expenditure from metabolism and activity," the article says. It goes on to place
blame on a number of factors, including "increased numbers of meals away from
home, larger portions and increased consumption of calorically dense fast foods."
Also named as culprits are "increased availability of labor-saving devices,
television and video games and decreased physical education time in schools."
Since 1991, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey
conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found lower
than recommended levels of physical activity among young people in the United
States. The survey also reports a significant decline in reported physical activity
over the course of four years of high school. In addition, it notes that the
level of physical activity is consistently less for girls than it is for boys.
Patterns of activity vs. inactivity are also noted in various ethnic groups.
These findings tie in exactly to what I was
saying in my previous column: today's young people -- through physical inactivity
and the pursuit of sedentary pastimes -- are jeopardizing their overall health.
It doesn't have to be that way. There are simple and effective ways parents
can reverse and possibly even halt this decline in their children. Here are
just a few suggestions:
· Monitor your child's food intake. Keep
an eye on when, where and how much they eat. Keep them away from high-calorie
fast foods as much as possible. Feed them balanced and nutritious meals and
don't feed them too close to bedtime.
· Monitor your child's activities. Regulate
the amount of time they spend watching TV or engaging in other passive activities
such as playing video or computer games. Invest time in recreational activities
that the whole family can enjoy, like bike riding.
· Encourage your children to go out for
sports. Find out what sports or other physical activities, such as dance, yoga
or gymnastics, are available and enroll your child in them. Motivate them to
engage in activities that work their limbs and their muscles.
There are, of course, other things you can
do to help keep your youngsters from becoming lazy and overweight, but these
suggestions should do for starters. It is crucial for parents to play a part
in helping to maintain their children's overall health, and it's never too early
to start.
