Childhood Obesity - Is Wii Fit the Answer?

Click Here to purchase your very own Nintendo Wii Fit System at Amazon.com

Let’s face it - more and more people are obese these days. Obesity has become a worldwide problem and is one of the leading causes of disease.  Being obese increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and some cancers. Obesity rates in adults have doubled over the past 20 years.  According to the World Health Organization, the world’s population is growing more and more fat, with the figures of those people considered “obese” to hit 700 million by the year 2015. The National Institutes of Health research shows that the current obesity epidemic not only affects adults, but children and adolescents of all ages, races and genders.

Children who become obese at a younger age are on the increase, especially in the United States. School-age children and adolescents are getting heavier, the rate of obesity tripling over the past 20 years according to the American Diabetic Association.  One child in five is considered to be overweight. Obese children are at risk for many types of health problems that once only appeared in adults. The incidence of Type 2 Diabetes among children is rising. Many children now have high cholesterol and high blood pressure levels which increases their chance for heart disease. Because they are heavier, some kids even suffer from sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, liver disease and asthma.

Many things can cause your kids to develop unhealthy amounts of weight but the main causes are lack of activity and eating too much of the wrong kinds of food. Parents play a crucial role in leading by example in these areas. If you are sedentary and eat too much fast food, your kids are going to do the same. You’ve got to change your habits first, and then teach healthy nutrition and exercise habits to your kids. If your child is obese, losing just 5 to 10 percent of total body weight can delay or even prevent the onset of disease.

Eating Right - It’s Easier Said Than Done.  

Getting your kids (and yourself) to eat the right foods should be your number one priority.  It won’t be easy at first, so you may want to do a gradual transition over a few days or weeks. Your kids have to eat, so make sure they make nutritious choices. Keep healthy snacks on hand such as fresh fruits and vegetables, sugar free cookies, frozen juice bars (with no added sugar!), even graham crackers. No more high-fat chips, cookies, sugary soft drinks, candy, etc. Eat meals together, at the table and only at the table (not in front of the television). Encourage your kids to eat slowly and savor the food - remember, it takes twenty minutes for the brain to know the stomach is full.

Finding Time To Get Moving.

Time is an essential factor these days - and none of us seem to have much of it. Trying to balance a family with a career, the kids in school and all the associated activities that seem to take up most of their time - who has time to go to a fitness club, start an exercise routine, or just go for a walk occasionally? It’s just too difficult to find the time. Well, now the problem may be solved. Your child’s bedroom, the living room, family room - any room in the house can become the perfect place to keep in shape, be more fit, and stay healthy. Your family could all do this together - it’s fun! And this family workout is easy to achieve - about $90. It’s the Wii Fit from Nintendo available at retailers everywhere. In the Wii Fit box is the software disc and the hefty balance board, which measures each users body mass index before it starts you on a wide variety of exercise workouts.

What could be better for your health - and the health of your family than exercising together? Wii Fit seems to be a perfect fit for today’s time-strapped family who wants to lose weight, stay in shape, or just have a good time with together. Yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance drills are also included - a great start to get your kids off the sofa and moving around.  Plus, you all get to look better and feel better together. There’s also a great program called the Wii Fitness Bible (sold separately) which claims to help you use your Wii Fit to more effectively shed pounds, build trim muscle and help your family get into better shape. This program comes with a lot of information on how to make the best use the Wii Fit system including: how to create an effective exercise routine, how to build core muscles, prioritize your workouts, and change your diet. It also comes with a 30 Day Action Plan.

Is Wii Fit the solution to the childhood obesity epidemic? - I can’t say that it is. The folks I have talked to say it’s a great start and it’s better than doing nothing. And who knows - it may inspire a future athlete, Olympian, or just get your whole family moving toward a healthy future.

Click Here to purchase your very own Nintendo Wii Fit System at Amazon.com