It’s no secret that the people in our country are getting fatter. The increase in the average weight of people has been cause for concern in the medical community. In fact, statistics indicate that the youngest generation will be the first generation in history with a shorter life expectancy than their parents. That is an alarming statistic. What is the cause of this new trend? There are actually two main contributing factors. The first is the sedentary lifestyle our children now lead. And the second is the fast food diet many families eat on a regular basis.
Combined, these two core issues are proving to be a deadly combination. The fast food diets are introducing substantial amounts of lethal fat and sodium into our children’s bodies with very little nutrition. Lack of nutrition causes the body to work less efficiently which in turn lowers metabolism. And the poor nutritional composition can lead to chronic diseases in adulthood. The sedentary lifestyle has become a problem of more recent years. Home video game systems, personal computers, big screen televisions, and dvd’s have made staying inside irresistible. While inside, children are lying around for endless hours. Physical activity becomes obsolete.
Preceding generations of children spent most of their childhoods outside. Riding bikes, playing games of tag, and engaging in competitive athletic sports were the highlights of the day. Children only stayed inside if they were punished. The electronic generation of today doesn’t get enough physical activity. And when you adjoin the lack of physical activity and the dangerous diet, the result is overweight and obese children. So what can you do?
There are many steps you can take to diminish the problem. Begin with limiting the amount of time your children are allowed to spend on video games and computers. You could even assign them a specified time period to engage in those activities. Make your children go outside and play. Don’t allow them to watch television until after 6pm. Resist the urge to grab a quick dinner at a local fast food restaurant. Instead, plan your meals in advance. If dinner will be late, give them fruit to tide them over. Your children might resist these changes at first, but once they adjust they won’t complain. Just remember you are trying to save their lives.