Beebleblog

All right, so the whole world seems to be a panic about overweight children and in the UK not a day goes by that the subject doesn’t come up in one form or another on TV or in our newspapers. We blame the government, then we blame the fast food restaurants, then we blame the soda and fizzy drink companies and it seems to turn into an argument about who’s to blame. I am a strong believer that the parents are to blame. (Oooo touchy subject – Beeble) I was bought up in the computer generation where my brother and I liked nothing better than playing computer games or watching TV. However we were never allowed to sit there for hours on end. Our time on these activities was limited. My parents were also only too happy to play sports outdoors with us and encourage it which I think has helped no end in keeping us healthy. The way we are bought up continues into our adult lives and dictates how we will live. So if our parents sit around doing nothing and eating bad food then that is what we will learn to do. Is this in fact a form of child cruelty? I think so, but that subject is perhaps best left for another day.

Computer Games That Make You Move

The latest craze the Nintendo Wii (I have one) and the slightly older Sony Eye Toy are touting themselves as a cure for lazy computer playing overweight children. Unfortunately it won’t cure the hours of computer playing but they are developing games that you have to play with movement. The movements you perform in front of the screen affect in real time what your character does on screen. So the more you move the more your character moves and of course the more calories you burn and hey presto we all have slim children again. Of course the more cynical would say that this was just a gimmick: that the big gaming companies have created these games to make money and are saying: “Look we do care that we are being partly blamed for the growing obesity levels.” I guess it is ironic that the computer has played a part in the sedentary lifestyle of our children and now it is going to help us get them fit again.

What do I think?

Having played these games myself I can honestly say that some of them really can work up a bit of a sweat, but it is no substitute for real exercise. Sure playing these types of games is better than just sitting there but it is not the answer to the obesity problem. I find it a shame that the idea of computers as a source of exercise is even considered as an option. Parents shouldn’t be thinking “ah so I can stick them in front of this machine and they will become fit and healthy”. It is as bad as the amount of plastic surgery and liposuction that children are having these days. This is not the answer and it is not a cure. All it will do is buy people time while they hopefully consider how to really fix the problem. The only way to fix the problem of child obesity is to address the source and that is parenting skills! Personally I think it is a subject that should be taught to parents-to-be for free. After all the only experience the majority of us have to be parents will be from our own parents and that is not always the best education.

Take Time To Teach Your Children

There is no precise measure to say whose parenting skills are correct and I am certainly not going to stand here on my soap box and tell parents what is right and what is wrong. All I am going to say is that the most important part of being a parent is your child’s welfare and that does not mean just keeping them happy and giving them everything they ask for. What it does mean is that you take the time to teach your children how to treat their bodies and help them understand what is good and what is bad. It takes time and it takes effort and you will only be able to do it by leading by example but the rewards are fantastic. By leading by example not only will you be improving your own health but you will be giving your child a great start in life and will give them every opportunity to live long and healthy lives. You will also be helping them to avoid the heart related diseases, diabetes and other diseases caused by obesity. This in turn will lead to healthy Grandchildren and so on. Just imagine the future generations; all of them healthy thanks to you!

Change your lifestyle to help your children!

I know this has been quite a heavy subject but it is one I really care about. I am sure that not everyone will agree with me and to some what I have said will be controversial but I hope it will make some people think about the changes they could make. I believe the health of our children and future generations depends on a radical lifestyle change to all our lives. If you want to tell me that I am wrong or you want to back me up then please leave a comment by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post or contacting me through the menu on the left (you will have to be in beebleblog.com to do this feed readers – Beeble)

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