Inactivity & Obesity
A UK study reported marked inactivity patterns in children as young as 3 years old. To echo a thought that has been raised amongst some of my friends lately, “Perhaps we’ve taken the health and safety agenda a bit far”. Even when we were raised with TV, most of us still found time to run around the block, climb trees and use our imaginations (anyone else make a fort out of blankets and lawn chairs??)… even if we did get a bit scraped up.
January 30th, 2004 at 8:32 pm
I agree that kids are not as active as they should be. I do remember Mom telling me “Go run around the block,” but truthfully, I didn’t! Maybe occasionally. Usually my response was, “Aw, Mom.” So was it really that much better in the “Good old days”? For the most part–I think I have to exclude my personal experience.
BUT… Now it is a bit different. You can do as we did and let your kids go around the neighborhood, knocking on doors asking if Susie or Bobby wants to play. I remember Christina getting lost for hours one time. It is a shame it has come to this, but parents have been frightened into restriction. It’s simply safer to have them at the Playstation–even compared to the front yard. Sad. The alternative is driving them somewhere and watching them for hours. Few Moms (Dads) have that luxury these days. Also sad.
So what’s the answer? Sounds like organized sports or stay in the house…
January 30th, 2004 at 8:37 pm
Oh, I came up with another idea. A Toddler Treadmill!
Actually, I once saw an exercise bike attached to a TV such that you had to generate the electricity to keep the TV running. Sounds good. I assume I saw it on PBS.
January 31st, 2004 at 1:52 pm
(This is your mother speaking…) Chores come to mind as a useful activity - raking leaves,for instance. I feel strongly that children should help around the house and yard as part of the team.
As far as toddlers are concerned, parents could take them to the local park or playground. It’s good to meet other people at the same stage this way.
Parents need exercise, too. Everybody walk!!!