| We have the highest teenage and childhood obesity | | | | you are at it, neither of you will be consuming empty |
| rates today than at any other point in the world's long | | | | calories. Even if the sport you take up together doesn't |
| history. Much of the blame for this is on the fast food, | | | | involve a lot of physical activity it is quite likely more |
| low energy society that we have become. Far too | | | | active than sitting in front of the television. |
| often we feel that it is safer to keep our children inside | | | | Have your teen join a recreational sports team. We |
| our homes rather than out and about in the great | | | | have all kinds of sports teams available in our |
| outdoors. The things we are doing for the protection of | | | | community in which our teens can join. Even those |
| our children are actually detrimental to the health of our | | | | with no skills at all can join and play in some of the |
| children. | | | | leagues while other leagues are competitive. Getting |
| There are things however that are being done to | | | | out and about for a softball game, soccer game, and |
| address the problem and get our children more | | | | even volleyball can be a great way for the family to |
| involved, more active, and better educated about | | | | do something together and the games and practices |
| making the proper choices about diet, nutrition, fitness, | | | | are opportunities for your teen to be active. |
| and overall health. The problem for most teens is | | | | Lawn work is another way to get out and get active |
| getting them off the computer, phone, or away from | | | | with your teen. The key, as always, is in your teen |
| the television long enough to get active. | | | | burning more calories than he or she consumers. It is |
| Even video games are getting in on the act of getting | | | | often easier said than done but it is quite possible if |
| children up and active by creating games such as Play | | | | you work to get them out and about. Find things |
| Station 2's Dance Party Revolution and the new | | | | however that will be interesting to your teen and focus |
| Nintendo Wii gaming system that seem to be taking | | | | on those rather than torturing them with activities that |
| the market by storm. These systems allow | | | | hold no interest at all (well maybe not the yard work). |
| consumers, to actively participate in the game play | | | | At any rate, filling their time with activities is also |
| adventure rather than sitting back and playing the | | | | allowing time that they aren't consuming calories as |
| game in a static environment. It is a great way to get | | | | well and that is something worth considering. |
| teens off their seats and active. These games are | | | | Encourage your teen to eat healthier foods. Eliminate |
| also fun for adults and will have the same effects | | | | calorie-loaded sods, fruit juices, and energy drinks from |
| when it comes to activity. Whoever thought we'd be | | | | your pantry shelves, and encourage your teens to |
| actually encouraging game play for exercise? | | | | drink plenty of water each day. Introduce as many |
| Get Outside and Get Active | | | | vegetables as possible to the diet of your teens and |
| Teens learn by example and whether they care to | | | | get rid of the prepackaged convenience goodies that |
| admit it or not, they typically enjoy doing things as part | | | | teens are notorious for depleting in one sitting. Also |
| of the family. Go rock wall climbing or mountain | | | | having your teens actively participate in the preparation |
| climbing. Go bike riding as a family. Camp in the great | | | | and clean up for meals will help them pay more |
| out doors and go hiking, boating, or biking yet again. | | | | attention to the things they put into their mouths as well |
| Learn a new sport together. It's amazing how much | | | | as the messes they make in the process. |
| fun you can have learning how scuba dive and while | | | | |