Before I had a child, I never understood how hard it was to fit in activity. I used to shake my head and criticize people for their lack of time in some sort of activity. I'm not saying that having children means a free pass to be inactive and eat fast food, but I can definitely relate more to fitting a 30-hour day into 24 hours. Since the focus of this month's issue is on children, I want to emphasize how much being a role model for children in your eating habits and
exercise habits plays.
Have you had to watch what you say as your child got older because little kids have big ears and soon what you said would be broadcast in the center of Wal-Mart? The same thing applies to eating and exercise habits.
Did you know that if one parent is obese, their child has a 50 percent chance of becoming obese?
Furthermore, if both parents are obese, their child has an 80 percent chance of becoming obese.
Dads, if you only eat meat and potatoes and shun a broccoli spear, what do you think your sons are going to do? Moms, if your daughters see you constantly weighing yourself, criticizing your looks, reaching for a chocolate bar "because you're stressing, PMSing or had a bad day," what do you expect their behavior will be like?
It is time for us as parents to examine our own lives and make appropriate changes before those habits are ingrained in our children.
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Studies have shown that 33 percent of children ages 4 to 19 eat fast food every day. Children follow their parent's example when it comes to eating healthy.
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Don't get me wrong. I don't expect you to put down your sodas and start running marathons within the next month. What I do encourage you to do is to begin small changes that can begin a new lifestyle - not only for yourself but for your children, too.
One study published in Pediatrics magazine (January 2004) indicated that almost 33 percent of children ages 4 to 19 eat fast food every day. The authors estimated that this led to an average weight gain of six pounds per year.
There is no need for anyone in this country to eat fast food every day. If you are one of those families, cut back to eating fast food only two times per week and then eventually two times per month (at the most).
Limit the amount of time you and your child sit in front of the TV or computer. If your child insists on video games, then you insist that it be an active game, such as Dance Dance Revolution or Wii Fit, and insist that you get to play, too.
Take a stroll after dinner. Ride a bike on the weekend. Go for a swim in the evening. Do something! And don't just tell your kids to do it. You do it, too. Yes, you're tired after working all day. Yes, you've got a million other things to do. But you only have one chance at setting an example. Be the parent you've been put on this earth to be and lead the way to a better, healthier lifestyle.
Lisa Fish is a registered dietician with Winter Haven Hospital.
