30 days of giving - Day #18: Is your child's health important to you?
Children are the future of this world. This is why it is important for parents to teach them the
basics of how to be responsible adults. Things likehow to clean the house, do laundry, take care of finances and pay bills and how to take care of their health and wellness are all important life skills.
The sad part is that so many parents are failing their children's in so many aspects of this learning. I see kids who's parents so everythign for them so they have no clue how to clean the house or do any sort of chores. The end up feeling entitled; that the world owes them something. Then they step into the real world, have no idea how to take care of financed or pay bills and end up deep in debt (I know about this one all too well). But the one that's the most heartbreaking is that over 30% of the children in North America now are overweight or obese and this number is rising quickly.
The problem is that it's like money-see-monkey-do. Children are watching their parents and other role models so if the adults in their life aren't taking care of their own health then children are unable to make healthy lifestyle choices.
It has been shown that the incidence of type 2 diabetes is on the rise among children. This is maddening becasue it's a disease of poor lifestyles that people only used to get in old age. Now it's part of life.
Studies have shown that prechoolers are now showing as many as four risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, plaque in the arteries and high cholesterol. PRESCHOOLERS! WHAT?
It has also been reported that many children are not expected to outlive their parents. If I was a parent I would be freaked out by this one alone. I woudln't want to see my children die, let alone die prematurely just because poor lifestyle choices were made.
Is your child overweight or obese?
To determine if you child is obese or overweight you can calculate their body mass index (BMI) by this simple equation:
BMI = height in (metres)/Weight (kg) x Weight (kg)
What are causes of childhood obesity?
1) Genetics plays a small role in obesity, only about 4%, the rest is the result of epigenetics, which is the role of the environment and lifetyle. Esentially if the family lives an unhealthy lifestyle then so will the child who will likely end up with the same health issues. Studies show that what a mother eats during pregnancy can be a large factor in the child's health as an adult. If a woman eats a high fat, highly processed diet during pregnancy then the developing fetus is not getting the nutrition it needs to build a strong and healthy foundation.
2) Social activities, especially now days, play a big role. More time is spent sitting playing video games and watching TV, while less time is spent running around outside and playing sports.
3) Cultural lifestyle differences may contribute, such as some culures eat more high fat and high prcessed carbs diets, while others tend to eat more of a lean, healthy diet. Often children are taught to finish their plates before they get dinner or if they don't eat what they have on their plate, or take a second helping, they are being rude to the host. This teaches children how to overeat through their adult lives.
4) Diseases, such as thyroid disease, polycystic ovary disease, brain tumors, mental retardation, and other conditions are a small contributor to the risk factors for obesity.
5) Medications, such as chronic oral steroids, some classes of antidepressants, and other drugs may also contribute to pediatric obesity. My response to this is what are these kids doing on these kinds of drugs anyway? Chances are it's the result of poor lifestyle. Get these kids eating well and active and they won't need these toxic meds.
6) Psychological issues such as emotionally stressful lifestyles can cause overeating and other poor lifestyle choices. Then the excessive weight further aggravates their emotional turmoil. Emotional eating then continues on into their adult life if the issue is not resolved.
It's all very sad; however, something can be done! Yes, as a parent you might have to make some changes yourself but isn't it worth it? If you can't do it for yourself then do it for your children.
How to enhance the health and wellness of your child:
1) Make eating healthy fun for the family. Get everyone involved. This will also help the family bond and enhance emotional connections.
2) Eat at home more often as a family.
3) Encourage your child to play a sport of some kind. Or, go to family rec nights at your local community centre and get active.
4) Limit video games and watching TV. Encourage your child to get outside in the fresh air.
5) Take Juice Plus. I have mentioned the Juice Plus company before on the October 7th post regarding the tower garden; however, I want to mention another great program they have that is enhancing the lives of children all over the world.
The Children's Health Study
The Juice Plus Company's Children's Health Study is a foudation that encourages children, and families, to eat better and provides a simple way for families to get their kids to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables everyday.
How does it work?
When an adult makes the conscious decision to eat a better diet, and add the Juice Plus whole food nutrition in as part of this plan, they can sponsor a child between the ages of 4 and university age. This means that the child will get their order for FREE!
The Juice Plus company makes a huge effort to enhance children's health through this foundation and it provides over 800,000 children currently. This means that the Juice Plus company pays out over $575,000,000 to give kids the nutriton they need to be healthy. That is an unbelivable committment to children's health.
What are the results?
Numerous studies show the benefits of Juice Plus. It is the highest quality product of it's kind on the market and the ONLY one I recommend to my clients becasue it is whole food that has no chemicals, pesticides or GMO.
After making Juice Plus+® a part of their daily lives, children and adults are:
- Eating more fruit and veggies
- Eating less fast food and drinking fewer soft drinks
- Drinking more water
- Visiting the doctor less
- Missing fewer days of school or work
- Taking fewer over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs
- More aware of their health and wellness
- Reaping a positive benefit of some kind
The best news of all is that the longer people stay on Juice Plus+®, the more health benefits they experience.
Want more informtaion about the children's health study? Click here or contact me to get started today!
