Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Parents Have Influence or Child's Activity Level

In Wales, 3% more children are physically active now than were two years ago. The figures were part of the Sports Council for Wales Children's Participation Survey, which also found that parents have a powerful influence over their childrens activity levels.
"Around 54% of the children who reported that both of their parents played sport met the 5x60 target [60 minutes of physical activity, 5 days a week] compared with just 39% of children who recorded that neither of their parents played sport."
The increased popularity of things like video games, the Internet and television, which are mainly sedentary activities, coupled with parents who say they're too busy for anything but fast food means fewer and fewer kids are getting the exercise they need. Getting kids involved in sports at an early age not only helps combat obesity, but builds their self-esteem and helps them handle stress.

Read more at ICWales.ICNetwork.co.uk.

Labels: exercise, parents, influences

Posted By: Aspen Education Group