By Donald Petrone

graph from statscan article – obesity: A growing problem

• Child obesity is a medical condition affecting children and teenagers. • Children who store to much fat (based on Body Mass Index Scale) are considered overweight

or obese• Main causes are overeating and little or no daily exercise • Rarely caused by genetic diseasesRisks of becoming obese: • Continually eat food and drinks with high sugar and fat – fast food, sugar, pop etc • Are not physically active • Watching or playing excessive amounts of video games or movies – these things don’t burn

of calories • Child not taught healthy eating or value of exercise • Deal with stress by eating• Obesity is prominent in family history – may come from genetics • Not enough money or time to fit in healthy eating• Genetic disease or hormone disorder

• In order to reduce obesity, physical activity is a must.• Children should exercise at 1 HOUR per day• Incorporating SPORTS is a fun way to get your kids active

Sporting Ideas

• Teams or clubs – getting children involved with a sports team will ensure that they are exercising on a regular basis.

Alternative Gain - Not only will this help their health, it will teach them teamwork and help them meet new friends.

• Parent to child activities – simple things like throwing a football around or passing a soccer ball will help keep your child fit. It is important that you take the time, out of your day, to do these thing with your child.

Alternative Gain – By spending time with your child, you will gain a friendship that will last a lifetime.

• Make it Fun – no matter what sport or activity you play, having fun is always the main goal. By making it fun, kids will grow to love an active lifestyle!

Football – Items need – football(any size)• Games – Catch – one person throws the football to the other. Repeat.• Football game (one hand touch) – gather some friends and divide them into equal teams. Try

to score a touchdown but instead of tackling the ball carrier, use on hand to touch them. Once the first team scores, they get a point and now the second team gets a chance to score. Repeat.

Soccer – Items needed – soccer ball (any size)• Games – Pass – Stand about 10 feet from someone and pass soccer ball between one

another. Repeat• One Bounce – gather some friends and stand in a circle. Pass the ball to one another only

letting the ball bounce once. If the ball bounces more then once, that player who let it bounce a second time is out. This continues until there is one winner.

Baseball – Items need – baseball, baseball bat, baseball glove• Games – Catch – Stand about 10 feet from someone and pass the baseball between each

other. Make sure to catch the ball with your glove. Repeat.

Hockey – Items needed – hockey stick, tennis ball, goalie pads, hockey net• Games – Hockey shootout – Get two people, one to play goalie and the other to play the

shooter. The shooter then try’s to score on the goalie.

Here are some ideas for sports related activities you can do with your child.

Remember to be safe!!!!

Not only do we need to exercise, but we also need to eat right.• Ensure your kids are eating three meals a day – this will reduce over

eating and skipping meals• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein • Reduce carbs• Eliminate fast foods – high in saturated fat• Cut down on sugar and trans fats• Always read LABELS!!• Reduce consumption of soda and high sugar drinks

By combining Sport and following a good diet, we can ensure that children become healthy and live a full life.

2010 2010 20103

8

4

7

4

10

• Backgrounds and Images – Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 • “Healthy Eating”, < http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/eating/> October 2,

2008.• “What is childhood obesity and Who is at risk?”, <

http://www.childhoodobesityfoundation.ca/whatIsChildhoodObesity> October 3, 2008