Targeting Parents Leads to Children's Weight Loss

Common sense would dictate that parents are the first line of defence when it comes to preventing obesity in children.

Now there's a study to back up what most people suspect - approaches that specifically target parents can result in significant weight loss in moderately obese prepubertal children.

Randomized controlled trial of 169 moderately obese children, who were 5 to 9 years of age.Parents were targeted as the agents of change, and were randomly assigned to take a six-month health lifestyle course alone, or in combination with a parenting training course.The children's body mass index (BMI) and waist z scores were measured at the end of the parenting training, and then at six-month intervals during a two-year follow-up period.The researchers also studied the impact of the training course on parenting outcomes, measured by questionnaires assessing factors such as parental feelings of satisfaction and efficacy in their role.Statistically significant 10-percent reductions in the BMI and waist z scores for both groups of children over the first six-month period, which was maintained for 24 months.Improvement was also seen in the parenting outcomes.Both groups showed similar improvements, with little difference between the two groups. This is a very successful outcome from a seemingly well-conducted trial. Especially so when you see continued success at the two year mark - rare in the world of long-term weight loss trials.

Programs that teach parents about the basics of healthy eating including shopping, cooking, preparing, all on a budget and with time constraints, would be invaluable towards setting children up for success - both short term and long term. Hopefully this study provides some impetus for putting programs like this into action, particularly for those groups most vulnerable to obesity.

Children's health begins in the home. To be sure, it takes the proverbial village to raise a healthy child, but starting at home with parents is the right idea. Getting children to healthier weights, setting them up for healthier eating later on in life, and improving the eating habits of parents makes for a win, win, win situation.

Image Credit: Di-the-huntress

View the original article here

The Children's Fitness Manifesto

We have a fight on our hands.

A fight to reclaim a physical culture, that I fear has become lost on this current generation. A task of this magnitude requires a basic understanding of the needs of children from an inspirational, developmental and physical perspective.

The following is a bullet-point primer on some philosophies of children's fitness, and how we can help reclaim the health of our youth through activity.

The ultimate goal with any children's fitness initiative is to instil a joy for activity that will carry on into adulthood. One of the most important things we can provide children is the importance of relishing the process.The central nervous system develops spontaneously, but is also formed through the right kind of activity. There are critical and sensitive periods of neural development that are dependant on physical activity.Children get better at moving through opportunity, experience, reward, guidance and proper stimuli. For young children (under 9), fun and play should be the centerpiece of activity. It shouldn't feel like "work". That said, there should be an element of fun at any age.Trying to teach complex skill or designing "plays" makes no sense for children under the age of 6, as they are egocentric. Imposing sets and reps on young children is a form of deprivation of play.Machines are not safer - learning how to move properly is.Slowly introduce rather than force activity on children.Creating inclusive environments are vital to the enjoyment for all.Incorporate variety: Vary the stimulus, including the terrain, situation or the activity.Repetition (within the context of variety) is a good thing. Children need repetition to build familiarity - which begets mastery - which builds confidence. Early sport specialization is detrimental to the overall physical and mental wellbeing of most children. For 6-9 year-olds: This age group should be focused on discovery - put value in the attempt (don't correct form). Incorporate basic skills such as running, climbing, crawling, skipping and jumping. As children progress in age and physical/emotional maturity, add technical skills as needed. There is no such thing as "good" or "bad" coordination. Coordination is a multi-faceted concept that includes balance, spatial awareness and rhythm, to name a few.It's ok for children to fail and yes even cry - this builds resilience and adaptability. Children don't need to be relegated to one emotion. (Note: this doesn't mean we try and "make them cry", it just means that children get frustrated sometimes and we need to tell them it's ok to feel that way).Seize every opportunity you can to get out and be active with your children. Take walks, bike rides, swim or play a sport with them.

Special thanks to the International Youth Conditioning Association and Dr. Kwame Brown for the resources.

Image Credit: geowillis

View the original article here