We live in a world of fast food, huge portions at restaurants and 72 ounce soda drinks at the convenience store. Everywhere we look we are inundated with fried food, fancy flavored milkshakes and processed junk food. Commercials on television tote these food items in sparkly flashy fashion and kids are enthralled with them. They HAVE to have that latest treat.
We wonder why America is dealing with the epidemic of childhood obesity. In the time of hand-held devices, video games, hundreds of channels and new shoes coming out all the time, is it any big mystery why kids struggle more today than they did in years gone past. As a child of the 70's, my free time was spent playing outside during the warm months. I'd leave the house and run around my neighborhood all day. We played kick the can, hide and seek and rode our bikes as far and as long as our parents would let us. We promptly ate a nutritious meal at 6:00 and were allowed a bedtime snack at the end of the day. We were fit and happy and completely able to entertain ourselves without any electronics whatsoever.
It's different today. As a mother, I watch my kids sit at the computer and although they are often doing educational things, they're not getting the exercise they so richly deserve. I've put limits on their computer time, and phone time and iPad time and have encouraged them to get outside (assuming it's warm enough) and run around. The schools have adapted menus to encourage healthier eating habits and we have tried to provide that at home as well. But the advertising and electronics are still there. It's hard to enforce the very things your kids are seeing you doing. It's time for the adults to put down their phones as well.
The internet has been a helpful tool in finding like-minded parents that are searching for answers on how to deal with this epidemic. Children are 22% more overweight than they were twenty years ago. Through social media, we are able to connect with others and explore healthy options and ideas that may work for others. The use of real-time commentary through some sites allows us to interact directly and instantaneously with others and the results of these avenues have been incredibly positive. It's easier to identify with others going through the same issues you are. You can share ideas and provide input on what you think works as well as getting advice on some areas you may not have thought of.
Let's give our children a bright healthy future. Social media can help with that. But just wait until their asleep to get on your technology device to figure it out.
Tamara Day is a lover of warm weather that lives in the north, much to her chagrin. She is particularly interested in social media, such as http://www.tawkers.com, and how it's affected our lives, and puts her kids' health above all else in life.
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