Be well: To road to fitness starts at home

Have you ever been to the grocery store with your children? For me, it always starts in the produce aisle. My oldest son asks for grapes, my 4-year-old wants carrots for his lunch. My 10-year-old asks if we can make baked apples when we get home. As I pick through leafy greens and a vibrant array of brightly colored, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, I think, "I am so glad my kids eat healthy!"

This feeling quickly fades as I turn the corner. My children suddenly become very excited. As their voices start to rise, my youngest son tugs at my shirt almost in a panic, "Mommy, Mommy, I have to have these! They are my favorite!" He's holding a box of chewy, gooey chocolate things with bears and balloons on the label. My 4-year-old is now looking up at me, his eyes so big, his smile wide; I can hear the carousel music that seems to be playing in his head. At first I think, "Look at him, so cute, he would love these things. These chocolaty things would make him so happy." SoI read the label. Yikes! The calories, saturated fat and cholesterol are high, and never mind that I can't pronounce most of the ingredients. This box of yumminess should come with a warning label! I look down at my son and my stomach sinks because I know what is coming next. I say, "I am sorry honey, we can't buy them. Things like these are not good for you." My son's smile quickly fades. "I don't like grapes! You never let me get these; you never let me get anything!"

This battle goes on for another


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
eight aisles, leaving me mentally exhausted by the time I reach the register. I think it would have made the shopping trip easier if I had just let my son have the ooey gooey chocolate things.
Does this sound familiar? For parents this is a daily issue. Trying to explain to our children why they can't have the many tempting treats, superhero-covered containers of fast food with toys, or boxes of pasta with powdered cheese is not easy. Trying to find the right words to explain to a 2- or 3-year-old why something isn't good for them can be difficult. Unfortunately, advertisements for these foods prey on parents as well. There are many unhealthy, but tempting food options that are quick and convenient for busy families. It is sometimes so much easier for Mom or Dad to pick up a fast-food meal for dinner on the way home from work.

Sadly, fast foods seem to be taking over as their own food group in the daily diet of a lot of our children. Obesity has emerged as a serious health threat among our children.

According to the American Heart Association, at least 22 million children younger than 5 are considered overweight around the world. Ten percent of preschoolers are overweight and the numbers are climbing. The AHA research suggests that obesity shortens the average lifespan: "If childhood obesity continues to increase, it could cause our current generation of children to become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents." As parents, teachers and caregivers, there are many things we can do to change these numbers. The AHA Web site, www.americanheart.org, offers fun and creative ideas for parents to introduce healthy foods and exercise into the lives of their children.

We teach our children many important habits - such as brushing their teeth or combing their hair - during the preschool years. This is a great time to start teaching them about the importance of taking care of their bodies. One great way of doing this is to check into the health and fitness programs that your preschool offers. Some schools in our area are offering Kid-Fit, which includes 30 minutes of continuous movement plus lessons on healthy eating habits. Participants learn that taking care of their bodies can be rewarding and that fitness can be fun. Visit www.kid-fit.com.

It is not easy to say no to our children. Sometimes I feel like the bad guy. However, we need to do something about this growing trend among our children. Our children deserve the opportunity to become strong, healthy adults.

So when you have to tell your child to put down a fun box of gooey snacks, or say no to a meal in a box with the toy that they want so badly, just remember that you are in fact the good guy!

*

Elizabeth Aikler, a Kid-Fit instructor, can be reached at eaikler@yahoo.com. Aikler is a member of the Greenwich Associates for Well-Being, an interdisciplinary group of independent practitioners collectively dedicated to promoting the awareness of and facilitating opportunities for holistic well-being. Contact Kim Kat Kristoff, founding director, at GAFWB@yahoo.com or visit www.GAFWB.com.