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