Issues Related to Nutrition and Fitness

Children who are sedentary grow up to become adults who are sedentary. So it is our responsibility as childcare professionals and parents to show children how fun and easy it is to be physically active. Physical fitness is so important for young children because:
* Physical activity is needed to balance food intake (Robertson, 2010)
* Children who learn to have fun with exercising will continue to do so as adults
* Physical fitness helps to develop a preschool or school-aged child’s gross motor skills (Robertson, 2010)
* Daily rigorous play helps a child expend energy with leads to a good sleeping pattern
* Physical activities help children build up endurance, flexibility, and strength (Robertson, 2010)

Adults play an important role in teaching children good fitness habits that can last a lifetime. Incorporating fitness into your families’ life style does not have to be complicated or drastically change your routine. Physical fitness is about moving not about structured exercise. A great example of fun incorporating fitness is playing an impromptu game of soccer in your backyard or daycare playground. Children of all ages (who are mobile) can participate. Who cares if you don’t have the proper goal areas set up or even a proper soccer ball, two designated bushes and a beach ball will do. Another fun activity would be to have an Easter egg hunt. Don’t worry about what time of year it is or what you can put inside the eggs, children mainly enjoy the hunt. Make sure to hide the eggs at all eye level and encourage the older children to buddy up with the little ones so they can work together. If there is a large group of children present they can take turns hiding the eggs from each other.
Today technology has exploded. Children have over a 100 channels to choose from on the television and a dozen video game devices. If your child is one of the millions that would prefer to sit and play video games instead of going outside for some fresh air, there is hope. While it does not equal traditional exercise, the Wii game system has come out with several interactive games. Children (and adults) can choose from sports such as bowling, tennis, or boxing. This should not be used as a child’s only means of physical fitness but might help to jump start a fitness plan.
“Pediatric obesity is not a disease but an uncontrolled epidemic,” (OPCCY, n.d). Today’s generation of children are heavier that ever. Some people try to blame it on super sized meals or hereditary, but in truth it is that children are not as active as they were in past generations. When I was younger I rode my bike and played outside with my friends until the street lights came on each night. Children now would prefer to communicate with their friends via text or facebook. Parents provide the best they can for children, providing them with a comfortable living environment, weather appropriate clothes, and nutritious food. As childcare providers we try to give the children all the skills they need to make it in life, teaching them colors, numbers, how to read and share. Why shouldn’t we all work together to instill in our children a love and need for daily physical activity?

Reference:

OPCCY, (n.d.). Introduction. Retrieved July 5, 2010, from : http://www.opccy.org/home.html

Robertson, Cathie. Safety, Nutrition and Health in Early Education. 4th edition. Wadsworth Pub Co, 2010. Print.