Kids Exercise
Parents ignore Overweight Kids - Science Alert
Posted at 12:56, 23/7/2009
Please read this article from Science Alert on 20th July 2009 - the link is also below.
Despite constant warnings about childhood obesity, too many Australian parents are still oblivious to the fact their children are overweight, according to the findings of the national MBF Healthwatch survey.
The disturbing results showed that only 7.9 per cent of children were considered to be overweight by their parents. However, this is a gross underestimation according to the recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report , which showed almost a quarter of all children (aged two to 12) are overweight or obese.
Bupa Australia Chief Medical Officer Dr Christine Bennett said, "Parents need to be extremely conscious that their failure to recognise these weight problems can be potentially damaging to their children in the long-term.
"Even taking into account recent suggestions that measures of overweight might be including some children on the border, many parents don't pick up on the risk.
"And once children become overweight, it's often extremely difficult for them to shed these excess kilos, particularly if their diet is incorrect and they are living a sedentary lifestyle.
"Therefore, it's incumbent upon us as parents to help ensure our children embrace healthier lifestyles," she said.
Dr Bennett also expressed dismay that parents' inability to recognise weight issues was markedly more pronounced with their sons.
This was typified by the fact that considerably more parents believe their daughters are overweight (10.3 per cent), compared to their male siblings (5.5 per cent).
In contrast, the AIHW data showed there was little difference in the prevalence of overweight or obesity between boys and girls.
Dr Bennett said she was particularly concerned regarding parents' perceptions of infants (aged up to two years old), with not one parent recognising that their son was overweight, compared to 8 per cent for daughters.
"It is genuinely concerning that parents are more conscious of their daughters' weight than their sons, and this has to change," Dr Bennett said.
"Unfortunately, this may mean an overwhelming number of boys experiencing weight problems will not receive timely assistance to rectify the problem as a direct result of their parents' failure to recognise and address the problem at a young age."
She went on to say that overweight children have a significantly higher chance of developing long-term health problems and that obesity can have a major impact on how children feel about themselves and interact with others.
The main causes of childhood obesity include a lack of physical activity, poor diet – including high fat and sugary food choices - and family eating habits.
To help overcome this, Dr Bennett encouraged parents to:
- Lead by example and start eating healthier options
- Ensure families eat meals together as often as possible
- Encourage children to eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Allow children to choose which activities they want to be involved in
- Restrict time spent in front of a computer or the TV to two hours a day
- Make exercise fun and reward children for their efforts.
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20092007-19440.html
Come and Join us at Funfit email sue@kidzexercise.com.au
A gross motor preschool program with a difference
Posted at 11:08, 30/3/2009
For nealy a year Kids Exercise and Max Tennis have run Hippity Hop - a fantastic gross motor program for preschool children. The program is fast paced and covers all the different gross motor skills that your child requires to go on to play any sport they choose.
Unlike many other programs - this active preschool program is not about teaching individual sports on a two weekly basis. Research shows that it is better to teach preschool children general gross motor skills rather than focussing on specific sports at this age.
As with all our programs, the main focus is on having fun and it is a joy to watch the happiness all over those little faces as they run, jump, chase bubbles, throw balls, play with ribbons and do a whole host of other exciting activities.
We are conveniently located at Belrose Tennis Club, just behind the Gle inrose shops. Whilst your child is having fun on court, you can shop, or just sit back and relax in the beautiful surroundings - tea or coffee is on us!
To book your child a piece of the action. call Sue on 0433151795 or 94514744.
Nutritionist joins Funfit
Posted at 9:46, 20/2/2009
We are heading for our 4th week at Funfit and the children are enjoying it. It is at this point that children might pull out if they are finding it too hard, however it is at this point that parents really need to encourage the children to push through. The feeling of well being and achievement will overshadow any negative feelings that they might have at this point.
Funfit is very much a partnership between Kids Exercise, the parents and the child. Support all round is very important. I have now joined forces with a Nutritionist, so the progam is totally complete. The slowing down in the increase in body weight has to be done with a combination of Nutrition and Exercise.
Louise will come regularly to the sessions to talk to the parents about the Nutrition side and she will be able to give you advise that you can use for the whole family.
Funfit group fitness classes for kids have started!!
Posted at 4:55, 1/2/2009
Our new group fitness classes for kids started yesterday. We took the class outside as the weather is so perfect.
We had a fantastic group of kids ranging between 5 - 8 years of age and the kids loved it - and so did I.
We did a mixture of fun stuff, used the natural surroundings for some cardiovascular games, used fitballs, played survivor type water games, stretched and did some strenghthening work. We finished the class by having a chat about exercise and some basic nutrition tips. I feel like we are at the beginning of a great journey together.
One of the essential ingredients in all my programs is fun. I love to have fun and I learn best when something is fun and kids do too - a big effort is put in to make what ever we do a lot of fun and I always get input from the children and where ever possible I try to incorporate their wishes.
If you have a child who doesnt like sport, a child who just wants to improve their fitness or a child who sits around to much come and give Funfit a try - it is only $10 per session and is a pay as you go program.
If you get a group of 6 - 10 children together - I will come to you, alternatively come and join us at the netball courts in Forestville - just give me a call before hand so I have enough equipment with me.
Here is to a fitter 2009.
Sue
0433151795
www.kidzexercise.com.au
Kids Exercise - some tips!
Posted at 2:31, 22/1/2009
Kids Exercise is a well established Northern Beaches business, run by Sue Cutbill, a mother of 3 very active young boys. We were very proud to have been a finalist in the Children’s Services section of the Manly Daily Truelocal awards. www.kidzexercise.com.au
Over the years Kids Exercise has expanded and now offers the following programs:
-
Hippity Hop – gross motor programs for Preschool children 2½ - 5 +
-
Funfit - group fitness class for children
-
Kids party entertainment
-
Corporate/team building entertainment
-
Active holiday programs in the grounds of Forestville Public School
On a daily basis, as parents, we are bombarded by facts and figures concerning the child obesity
epidemic. What does the term being obese mean? Being classified obese indicates that a person has too much body fat.
From the recent course I have done on Preventing Pediatric Obesity – the one point that keeps ringing in my head is
“No one needs to start out life with self esteem issues and social inequalities. However, that is exactly what obese children can look forward to each year they grow older”
It is true that you don’t have to look very far to find a child who is either already carrying too much weight or shows signs of heading down that path. However depressing this subject is, the good news is that the majority of the causes of obesity can be controlled through changes in lifestyle.
As a parent, I understand how confusing the whole issue is and we might think we are feeding our children in a healthy way, but so many foods these days are full of hidden nasties.
Things have changed so much since I was child, which was really not that long ago.
To begin with we now have physical activity competing against computers, computer games, wii’s, portable hand-held players, dvd’s to name just a few. No wonder our kids just are not getting enough of the great outdoors. We also have easy access to take away foods, snack foods, pre-packaged foods which are loaded with salt, sugar and fat.
Obesity is not a simple issue, but to be put very simply putting on weight is an imbalance between what goes in and how much we do. Tests have proved that we tend to underestimate what we eat and over estimate how much exercise we do.
If you see the signs in your young child, don’t leave it until they are older to intervene. Preventative measures should begin as early as possible.
It is widespread belief now is that intervention needs to start during the early years when children are setting behavioral routines, forming attitudes and are generally more receptive to building healthy habits, instead of changing unhealthy ones.
For some simple changes to make straight away
-
limiting access to fizzy drinks and juices both of which are full of sugar.
-
Cut down on kids snacks – offer a piece of fruit or a sandwich - is lots of the snack bars available are full of fat and sugar.
-
Try and cut down on take away, pre-packaged food and do not let your children snack whilst they are watching TV.
-
Use multi-grain or wholemeal bread.
-
Remove the skin on chicken before eating, trim fat off meat.
-
Make sure your children do not skip meals, especially breakfast – this slows down the metabolism.
Send your kids outside in the afternoon to play, ride a bike or get on a skateboard. Make sure your children do regular aerobic exercise – the best way to describe this is exercise that makes them puffy.
Take a look at the website http://www.kidzexercise.com.au
|
