Have you seen on the news that Florida schools are sending home BMI (Body Mass Index) readings on their students? The districts then recommend weight loss and exercise for children who are too heavy. It is up for debate on whether schools are overstepping their bounds, but its no secret that America's children and youth are sedentary and overweight. Family Education.com offers the following suggestions for getting our kids moving and healthier.
Teens Need More Exercise
The medical community has been sounding the alarm: America's kids are in
worse physical shape than they were 20 years ago. This is particularly
appalling since overweight teens often grow into overweight adults, and
overweight adults develop more heart disease,
diabetes, gout, and arthritis. The New England Journal of Medicine
reported that obese teenagers in the top 25 percent of their weight
categories have twice the death rate in their 70s as men and women who
were thin as teens.
Every time our teens sprawl in front of the TV, their metabolism slows to a crawl. Researchers at Memphis
State University and the University of Tennessee explored the link several years ago and were startled to
find that kids' metabolisms were lower while they were watching television than when they were resting
and doing nothing at all! The typical teen now spends almost 30 hours a week in front of the tube, while
eating high-fat snacks.
Who's going to step in and prod teens off those cushy couches?
That's right: It's up to us, as parents, to help them find ways of living a healthy lifestyle. But where do we start?
Great Exercises for Teens
Aerobic exercise is perfect for teens who are independent and like variety. Some possibilities include
running, in-line skating, cycling, swimming, power- or race-walking, tennis, full-court basketball, aerobic
dancing, kick-boxing, Tae Bo, hockey, soccer, rowing, elliptical trainer, cross-country skiing,
jumping rope, racquetball, handball, ice-skating, and trampoline.
The American Heart Association suggests that teens raise their heart rates for 20 minutes without stopping,
three or more times a week. Reassure your teen that aerobic exercise, when done correctly, shouldn't resemble
running timed laps in gym class, when many kids feel like their lungs are ready to burst and their legs
are on fire. This isn't about "no pain, no gain" it's about choosing fun physical fitness activities that also make you sweat
and breathe a little harder.
Exercise should never hurt, although a little muscle soreness can be expected, especially in the initial weeks
of a workout program. Be sure your teen knows the importance of stretching and warming up.
And keep in mind that out-of-shape kids should start out slowly, since they are more prone to serious injury
if they do too much too soon.
Ten Arguments for Exercising
Teens are great at coming up with reasons not to exercise, so be ready
to give them incentives to get fit. Here are 10 pro-exercise arguments
to present to your teen:
10. Running and walking are convenient. All you have to do is
walk out the door and put one foot in front of the other. No need for
pools,
courts, or fields.
9. Running doesn't cost much. Splurge on good running shoes, but go
the el-cheapo route for shorts, t-shirts, and sweats.
8. Your heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood and oxygen
through your body every time you exercise aerobically. You'll think more
clearly. You'll also raise HDL levels (high density lipoprotein) in
your arteries to protect you from heart attacks and strokes when you get
really old -- like in your 40s and 50s!
7. It's an awesome time to chat with friends. (And
talking slows your pace, so you'll exercise longer.)
6. It's a perfect time to be alone and think. You'll
be blown away by the creative thoughts -- ideas for research papers,
ways to end that fight with your best friend, and what to say to that
cute kid in the neighborhood.
5. The benefits of cross-training extend to all sports you do.
Aerobic exercise conditions your body to perform longer, faster, and
more efficiently. Wait until your coach sees you play soccer or
baseball!
Read more on FamilyEducation: http://life.familyeducation.com/teen/exercise/29461.html#ixzz2hHgdyd4R
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