- Sleep can help keep your child’s weight down.
Sleep is important for many reasons, but a recent study showed how lack of sleep can lead to obesity in children. As reported in the Chicago Tribune, “Researchers have found that every additional hour per night a 3rd grader spends sleeping reduces the child's chances of being obese in the 6th grade by 40 percent.” In other words, no matter what the child’s weight was in third grade, the less sleep they get, the more likely they are to become obese. Sleep helps to regulate hormones involved in appetite and satiety which is why it can affect your child’s weight. Each child is different but from the study it seems 3rd graders need at least 9 hours and 45 minutes, but the more the better. How much sleep does your child get?
- Can’t blame the schools for everything; home life has significant influence on your child’s weight.
You have probably heard, and noticed, that childhood obesity is on the rise. The prevalence of overweight children aged 2–5 years has increased from 1980-2004 from 5.0% to 13.9%; for those aged 6–11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 18.8%. Your genes have an influence on your child’s weight and so can school food service but a recent study found those aren’t the only factors. In this study researchers implemented a weight loss program that successfully reduced students Body Mass Index (BMI) during the school year. However, when these children returned from summer vacation their BMI had increased significantly. It is easy to blame others for your child’s weight, but this study shows that parents have to take responsibility for their child’s weight too. There are many ways to help your child maintain a healthy weight so you should consult your pediatrician for an appropriate weight management plan for your child. Some healthy basics that apply for us all are to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, do something active everyday, and get a healthy amount of sleep. Take a minute to think about how your actions affect your child’s weight.
In today’s society of fast paced everything and rising obesity, children are often not given enough time to just play. The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights recognizes play as a human right for every child. Play is so important that it is deemed a child’s right because it helps them emotionally, developmentally and cognitively. Additionally, play can increase your child’s physical activity helping them maintain a healthy weight. Before you latch on to the latest greatest diet strategy for your child, remember their basic rights and let them play!
- Exercise helps children’s bodies and brains!
It is easy to see and understand how exercise affects the body physically; not so obvious is how exercise affects us mentally. Luckily they do studies on such subjects to help us figure it out. A new study showed how exercise affects kids thinking, finding that when overweight children started a daily exercise program their decision making skills and organizational skills improved. Of course, physical activity can still lower their diabetes risk, reduce their body fat, and strengthen their bones but just in case you needed another reason, exercise improves cognitive function too!
Fitness Tip: Play games such as tag and hide & seek together.
Coupon is for first-time visitors to Stroller Strides. Please visit our website at www.strollerstrides.net/knoxville for a list of all class locations and times!
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