A new report released today by Active Healthy Kids Canada shows that less than half of Canadian kids aged 2 to 5 have regular physical activity as part of their daily routine, and that more time is being spent on computers, TV, and video games, as much as 6 hours per day.
According to national stats, as many as 15% of young children are overweight, and 6.3% are obese.
Does that register? Under five years old and already overweight, or obese!!
Not too long ago that was completely unheard of, along with early onset of “adult” diseases like type II diabetes.
The real problem, of course, is that children that display this type of behaviour early are that much more likely to continue the same behaviours later on in life. Can anyone else what a huge threat this is to our way of life?
Where do kids learn habits like these?
While these stats are hardly shocking, they are upsetting. I’ve seen it, there’s just a lot more really FAT kids around, and it makes me flippin’ mad! It’s just wrong.
We can theorize about social change and new, more sedentary societal lifestyle habits all we want, but ultimately, doesn’t responsibility rest with the families?
It’s “monkey see, monkey do”, kids will do what as their parents do. If the parents sit around on the computer or watching tv for hours a day, and make all the wrong food choices, what kind of example are they setting?
According to the CEO of ParticipAction, Kelly Murumets, “In families where there are regular healthy habits, those kids end up being more likely to have those healthy habits throughout childhood and adulthood”.
Really? No kidding…
In my experience in supporting The Toronto Foundation for Student Success , I learned just how much socio-economic factors play in to this as well.
What I mean is, as much as I’d like to stay mad at the parents of these kids, sometimes they just don’t know any better, or simply are not in a position to do anything about it.
That’s why I believe the key is EDUCATION.
EDUCATION IS THE ENEMY OF MISINFORMATION.
The more you educate people about their options for a healthy lifestyle, and healthy nutrition habits, the more you empower them to be able take action to change their current situation.
That’s where responsibility falls on us – on the people who know better – to reach out to those that don’t.
I’m urging you, #1, to commit to continually educating yourself on what’s best for your family and the health of your kids. Be a role model. Adopt a healthy lifestyle, kids don’t need to know “why” it’s important, they just need to see someone doing it!
#2, support great initiatives like Active Healthy Kids Canada , and The Toronto Foundation for Student Success , because, unless I miss my guess, this is potentially one of the most serious crises we will ever face as a society.
If we don’t concern ourselves with the health of our kids, we are mortgaging our future…and that is a debt we might not be able to repay.
I want to hear your opinions! Please leave your comments below and let’s discuss this.
Live Strong and Healthy,
Conor Kelly
EVOLUTION FITNESS
(416) 220-7883
Conor, you are right on the money as usual and I urge you and all parents to be your children’s role model. Just 15 minutes a day to do some fun-ercise is awesome and anyone can afford a simple jump rope to do this.
Conor, I urge you to get on your soap box any other way possible as a respected public and private person to use whatever other means possible to promote healthy children.
That’s realy sad. I’m absolutely sure that if you don’t teach kids from younge age about proper nutrition, later on would be a huge challenge for them. The parents should be the role model. When you think about it, most of the obese children have obese parents…Educate yourself and be a role model for your kids.
Hi everyone! This is Jeffry Chan from Evolution Fitness. After reading this post from Conor, it made me think back to couple weeks ago when I went to speak at a High school about fitness and saw 50% of the kids on the overweight side and 40% super skinny like they never got fed in years. This really really irritated me because I was one of them not because I chose to but because I didn’t know any better.
Parents parents parents giving your 10-16yr old son/daughter a t.v. and or a computer in there room is not helping them. You are ruining there lives!
I was fortune enough to have NONE of those (t.v./computer) because we couldn’t afford it so as a kid I grew up playing tones of sports after school all the way till dinner time. I was super active but the problem was I ate HORIBLE and sometime I didn’t even eat. I didn’t know the importance of a healthy nutrition life style because my parents didn’t know and didn’t teach it to me.
On the OTHER hand my younger brother was the total opposite. Our family got a little bit more well off and as HE was growing up he had his OWN t.v AND computer in his room so guess what HE did after school? Played on the computer and watch t.v. all night and started to develop carpa tunnel.
(now I’m not saying they shouldn’t be allowed to watch t.v and go on the computer but there are certain times for that. Its about balance)
Do you guys see a difference here?!?! Like in this post that Conor wrote. It’s “monkey see, monkey do”, kids will do what as their parents do. If the parents sit around on the computer or watching tv for hours a day, and make all the wrong food choices, guess what ?
most likely your kids will do the same.
so please!!! help your kids by helping yourself be a inspiration to your kids, family, and friends but having a fit and healthy life style yourself.
Help yourself to help other!
“by” having a fit and healthy life style yourself.
Help yourself to help other!
Conor- well said. I agree that education is key. I have worked with individuals with all aspects of disordered eating and believe that we need to educate people about the reasons to eat and how to eat for health vs restricting/binging/mindless and emotional eating. It truly is a crisis on so many levels. Thanks for your thought-provoking blog.
As a relatively new father to a beautiful 18 month old girl, I hear ya. We already take her down to our home gym with us and let her watch us work out… the gym is her favorite place in the house now!
Also, if you don’t introduce candies and chocolate, etc, as treats when they’re young they are less likely to expect that type of junk later on.
I heard/read somewhere that by the age of TWO the Golden Arches of McDonald’s is the MOST recognized symbol by children worldwide. I agree with the new dad above when he said, “[Just] don’t introduce candies and chocolate, etc. as treats.” Also I’ve found that just not having/buying the treats in the house helps.