When contemplating the world in which we now live, one has to wonder why we are getting sicker,more tired, and less fit! With the unbelievable advances in technology and medicine you might think that life would only get better and easier. The alarming and quite frankly, scary reality of it all is that we are now becoming quite sedentary and inactive because of modern advances. We often choose quantity overquality when it comes to our diet and food choices. We prefer to plug-in and tune out when watching the vast array of television entertainment choices. And sadly enough, with the tough economic times it’s just too expensive to shop at the local health food store for rich, nutritious, organic diet options. For me, as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Professional one of the most discouraging things I see is the increase in child obesity and inactivity. The food, if one can call it that, is absolutely transparent and hollow, empty calories that are rapidly filling up children across America. Childhood obesity statistics reveal the stunning fact that almost 60% of children in America are obese children. The rate of overweight children in America is increasing rapidly.If the obesity statistics of 2002 say that 22% of US preschoolers were overweight, you can only imagine how big the problem would be right now. Childhood obesity studies also reveal the fact that 40% of obese children and 70% of obese adolescents become obese adults. Indeed, by the time an obese child turns six years old, his/her chance of becoming an obese adult is over 50%!

 Studies implicate factors such as cheap fats and sugars used in food processing, larger portions, eating out more often, decreased activity, marketing strategies, lack of nutritional education, food as entertainment and diet fads. The medical consequences of those extra calories are causing mental and physical suffering in increased numbers of children and adults from Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, gall bladder disease, stroke, orthopedic problems, and increased risk of cancer. Food production and safety concerns are also of vital interest.

So what can we as parents, coaches, trainers and a society do for our children?

1. Set the example- The impact of healthy,active role models are of the utmost importance. We need to not only help our children eat better and exercise more but we need to lead the way. NO ONE likes to be told what to do or how to live, but if at an early age they can learn to develop healthy and wise habits then our job and their lives will be so much richer and happier.
2. Be the solution-  Littered throughout America’s grocery stores are products that are literally killing us. The other day I walked down several aisles and randomly pulled items off the shelf  just to see the content. In one aisle alone of the 25 items I pulled, 21 had high fructose corn-syrup as the number 1 or 2 ingredient!!! And if that is not frightening then this surely will be, all 25 items were listed as “healthy” lunch choices for kids.  I watched as parents filled their carts with this stuff while obvious over weight children tagged alongside! What is going on? We need to be the solution and not the problem!
3. Education- Just as these parents had no idea what they were feeding their kids, big name food manufacterers are more often than not taking the cheaper, easier route when it comes to what they put in our food. We must not only educate ourselves and our children about reading and understanding labels and ingredients but also stand up and demand that we get higher quality foods and products.
4. Be Active- Eating healthy is absolutely where we need to start but it is not the only problem. We need to teach our children and encourage them to be active. We need to help our children once again find balance in their lives, from exercising while jamming to their Ipods to joining some sort of sport or exercise activity, there are ways to help them gain a love and real craving for being active !