Doyle Family Chiropractic - Featured Article

Exercise Habits Should Start Early
Exercise habits should start young!

Create good habits for all members of the family, even the little ones. As parents we often focus on our own exercise regimes and forget about making sure our children are forming good habits for life.

Face it, our children are not walking 5 miles in a snow storm, backwards, to school each day, as we all were forced to do to build character! They spend their lives with a lot of sedentary 'in' activities: going to school, watching TV, IM'ing,and playing on the computer or other video games. May I suggest starting the new year right by planning family activities that include some kind of aerobic exercise, walking, roller skating, biking, etc. It will not only give you time to escape from the tube but you will begin to find out what is happening in each other's live, and you will be developing habits that will follow them through life. Don't be frustrated when you get flack for wanting them to get up and move; many times, our youngest has to be chided into going for a walk or a bike ride, but is usually happily humming by the time she returns home. So, fight the inactivity that seems to plague our houses and get everybody moving. You will all feel better and benefit healthwise.

Below is an artice from the American Chiropractic Association on the importance of children exercising early!

EXERCISE HABITS SHOULD START EARLY

When children are young, says a new book titled Eat, Play and Be Healthy, parents have a great opportunity to harness the natural energy children have and instill lifelong habits that will keep them active as they grow older. Regular exercise is as important for children as it is for adults because the problem of overweight affects both groups. In the 1970's, only about 5% of children were overweight. Today, at least 15% of children are overweight. Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults.

By encouraging children to be active, parents can help prevent health risks associated with childhood overweight. Children who are overweight have measurable differences in blood pressure and cholesterol levels compared to children with a healthy weight. The rise in childhood diabetes is almost certainly linked to overweight and/or inactivity. An obese child is more likely to become an obese adult and suffer from heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers.

Be your child's role model

The federal government's dietary guidelines suggest that children and adolescents should be physically active for at least 60 minutes on most days, if not every day. Parents can encourage children to meet this goal more effectively by setting a good example, rather than telling children what to do. If parents want to give a reason for why people should be active, they should focus on the need to feel good and stay healthy, instead of drawing attention to a child's or their own body image.

There are many ways that parents can model good health behaviors and get some health benefits, too. Some ideas are:

• Put your very young child in a stroller and go for a walk. Or strap your child into a bicycle carrier with helmet and go for a ride

• If your child can ride a bicycle, jog alongside or get on your own bicycle.

• Limit the amount of time you watch television. By doing this, you will find it easier to limit the amount of time your child watches TV, movies, or video and computer games. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of two hour of viewing for children each day.

• Stretch or exercise while watching TV.

• Engage the whole family in physical activities like Frisbee, playing catch, hiking, gardening, swimming, or rollerblading.

• Sign up for exercise classes you'd like or join a sports team. Then sign your children up for classes or team sports.

• Give children rewards, such as a basketball, that encourage them to be more active.