Time Magazine’s article, "How America's Children Packed on the Pounds.”

If anyone was able to see the cover of TIME magazine a few weeks ago, there was an entire article on why our very own children in the United States have become OBESE. For me, this is one reason I have a passion to help people discover how to get in shape and stay in shape. Adults and parents should be a good example for their children. I am not a father yet, but I want to be as healthy as I can be so I can have energy to play with my kids. I want to be healthy so I can live to see my grand kids! This article will explain what was in the Time Magazine piece and also provide some tips and information that will be helpful for you and your children.

Our whole American society is built around FOOD. Our first national holiday was Thanksgiving – a HUGE feast where each of us looks forward to eating as many dishes we can and then encouraged to eat more. Think about every party or get together you have been to or hosted. The majority of those parties revolve around what foods and drinks will be served. "We've defined an American version of what it means to succeed," says neuroscientist Randy Seeley, associate director of the Obesity Research Center at the University of Cincinnati Medical School. "And a big part of that is access to an environment in which there is a lot of food to be consumed." Think back on the last party you went to, the last luncheon you went to, the last company trip you went on, the last child's birthday party you went to, or the last celebration. We all probably ate too much, ate unhealthy, and so did our kids! 

There were only eight states in the United States in 1985 in which more than 10% of the adult population was obese. By 2006, there were NO states that low. In 23 states, the number of OBESE adults exceeded 25%. Overall, 66% of AMERICA weighs more than they should.

"Sit down on a bench in a park with a person on either side of you," says Penelope Slade-Royall, director of the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. "If you're not overweight, statistically speaking, both of the other people sitting with you are."
American kids have not had a problem with being OBESE in the past. Most kids have always been active, had a quick metabolism, and also have growth spurts that have caused them to NOT gain unhealthy weight.  This is one reason why it used to be tough to get enough daily calories.  As I stated earlier, there is the abundance of foods and drinks that are VERY high in calories (with NO nutrition)  that are not only making adults obese but it is now turning on our own kids.

The numbers say it all about kids obesity in the United States:
1971- only 4% of kids 6-11 were obese     2004  -  18.8% Obese
1971-only 6.1% of kids 12-19 were obese 2004 – 17.5% Obese
1971 -only 5% of kids 2-5 were obese       2004 – 13.9% Obese

Include all overweight kids, and a whopping 32% of all American children now carry more pounds than they should. "There's no way to overestimate how scary numbers like this are," says Seeley.

What are some of the health effects of our kids being OBESE? Kids are starting to develop heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, gallstones, joint breakdown, and even brain damage.
Ninety percent of overweight kids have at least one preventable risk factor for heart disease! Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult onset diabetes, but with the influx of children being diagnosed with this form of diabetes, the name has been permanently changed to Type 2.

Health experts warn that the current generation of children may be the first in American history to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. "The more overweight you are, the worse all of these things will be for you," says acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven Galson. And, warns Seeley, the worse they are likely to stay: "When you're talking about morbidly obese kids, zero percent will grow up to be normal-weight adults."

So, why the rise in number of OBESE children??
1. Cokes, burgers, pizzas, Frappuccios, chips, sports drinks, and fried freezer foods are a few reasons. Just like adults, kids consume far more daily calories (with no nutritional benefit) than they need.
2. American children are exercising less and less. In the age where the Wii, Rockband, Play Station 3, and HDTV, our children are coming home from school to play inside instead of going outside.  Inactivity has taken priority over activity.
3. Education and Schools are another reason. Schools have cut the budget in nutrition so our kids are not receiving ANY nourishment in the school lunches. Many schools do not have physical education or have it one or two times a week. Our kids need to be moving around EVERYDAY doing something!

How can Americans break the growing OBESITY problems?
1. Parents have to make the step toward HEALTH themselves before they can help their children. There are so many websites, businesses, and tools out there that can help YOU get started on your own health and fitness journey. Teachers, coaches, friends, and other family member can be a great motivator and encourager for YOUR children. Kids look up to others but they follow their parents, particularly at an early age. Each parent needs set the example and learn how to help them. Feeding them corn dogs every day for lunch just because it is easy and because they like it is not going to help in this process.
2. Get YOUR kids (s) involved in SOMETHING that will get them moving. Sign them up for a class. There are a number of opportunities available in all towns. Get them involved with sports, a group, take them to the park. Getting them in a group environment will also be a great way to help them interact with other kids and let them see that other kids are into exercising and having fun doing it. ANYTHING is going to be better than nothing. If you are in Coppell, Lewisville, Dallas, Flower Mound, Grapevine, Valley Ranch, Irving, Las Colinas, or Carrollton, sign your kids up for the Get You in Shape Boot Camp 4 Kids. Don’t let the “Boot Camp” scare you. That just means it is an outdoor fitness class. It covers nutrition, exercise, cardiovascular training, flexibility and everything relating to the age group. Your kid will discover the foods that are healthy for them, they will perform age appropriate exercises are not only fun, but will be beneficial to them.