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.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Swedish Study Associates Physical Fitness with Higher Intelligence

Young adults who are physically fit have higher intelligence levels and are more likely to go to college, according to a new study from Sweden.
  • Researchers analyzed data on 1.2 million Swedish men in the military who were born between 1950 and 1976.
  • They found a link between physical fitness and higher scores on IQ tests.
  • They found no link between muscular strength and intelligence.
Professor Michael Nilsson of the Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden said that physical fitness is about having good heart and lung capacity, which means that your brain gets plenty of oxygen. This may be why there is a link between high IQs and physical fitness, but not between high IQs and muscular strength.

The study was presented in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Labels: physical_health, intelligence

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Tuesday, May 29, 2007

'Kids in the Woods' Addresses Health and Conservation Issues

The U.S. Forest Service has recently allocated $1.5 million for a program called "Kids in the Woods". The program addresses two problems; the lack of physical activity during childhood which can lead to health problems, and a decreased interest in environmental sciences.
"'We can help address troubling declines we see in the mental and physical health of our children. At the same time, we can inspire future conservation leaders, who can perpetuate the critical role nature forests play in the quality of life for Americans,' [Forest Service Chief Gail] Kimbell said at a news conference Tuesday."
About 23,000 children are expected to participate in twenty-four projects in 15 states.

Read more at LCSun-News.com.

Labels: physical_health, activity, conservation

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Monday, March 05, 2007

Overweight and Sensitivity to Rejection

If your overweight child seems to be overly sensitive to anticipated rejection from others due to her appearance, beware. When self-worth is based entirely upon appearance, it's harmful for both mental and physical health, according to new research by Lora Park, Ph.D., a University at Buffalo psychologist. Sensitivity to rejection can lead to development of excessive dieting, compulsive exercising, binging and purgingas well as lowered self-esteem.

The good news is that you can do something to reduce the damaging effects of thinking negatively about appearance by reminding your child of her personal strengths. Daily affirmations of personal strengths help people cope with insecurities regarding appearance, says Park.

Another intervention that helps, according to Parks' research, is reminders that there are those who care. Reminding your child that many people love him can improve self-esteem and minimize sensitivity to rejection.

Labels: mental_health, physical_health, rejection

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments