Children can also grow overweight due to pampering of their parents. Although parents may not admit it, but this behavior of theirs can do more harm than good for their children. Children who are overweight are generally more lethargic and tend to remain overweight for the rest of their lives. Also, psychologically, these children tend to have a lesser self-esteem due to the constant insults that they are subjected to from their childhood. However, this can be undone assuming that sufficient activities are incorporated in the child’s lifestyle.
To begin with, make sure that whatever exercise you plan to tell your child, it should be fun and enjoyable or else your child will discontinue it at the earliest. It is better to be involved yourself or bring along some of his friends so that he doesn’t feel embarrassed while exercising. Encourage him to walk to school or cycle more often than spending time facing the computer screen or the television screen. Children needn’t do weights as such. They can although do exercises such as squats, rowing, lunges, pull ups or chin ups etc. Games such as tug of war can also be played for them to use their strengths. Those who are older can be encouraged to use weights, but with adult supervision.
Inculcating concepts of exercise at a young age will help them in keeping an active lifestyle throughout their life and also motivate them in having dedicated hours for exercise for life. But before they reach that level, you will have to constantly motivate them by being an ideal example, which they look up to. And remember to keep their activities as much fun as possible or else be prepared to deal with them being totally disinterested in any exercise schedule.
Tags: Child Obesity, Strength Training