Staying a step ahead of childhood obesity
Ice cream and lemonade, video games and social media. Summertime heat can bring about unhealthy means of escape for children on summer break in the forms of sugary foods and sedentary activity.
But no matter the season, childhood obesity is an everyday problem that cannot be taken lightly. One in four obese toddlers and four in five obese teenagers will become an obese adult. This matters because obesity takes its toll on individuals in numerous ways:
Physically: Obesity is
● associated with heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Psychologically: Obesity ● is associated with low self-esteem, eating disorders, and depression.
Socially: Obese persons
● tend to make less money and marry less often than their average weight peers.
Taking steps to prevent childhood obesity is one of the best things you can do for a child in your life. With the start of a new school year around the corner, consider encouraging your child to take on a new sport to help him or her stay fit.
Children 6 years and older are typically developed enough to participate in organized sports, the benefits of which are far-reaching beyond just physical fitness and maintaining a healthy weight. Researchers have concluded that involvement in sports is associated with greater motor skill proficiency, better academic performance, and the development of important life skills, such as goal setting, teamwork, and leadership. Additionally, involvement in sports is strongly associated with improved mental health.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also advocates for lifetime sports – such as running, swimming, and dancing - to be emphasized in school physical education programs. Children that engage in physical activity like sports early in life are more likely to remain active throughout their lives.
Ultimately, however, young people should explore and decide for themselves what sport they want to pursue. For those undecided, offering choices can be a helpful solution. Miami-Dade County Parks offers a variety of low cost sportsrelated programs:
Baseball, softball,
● football, roller-hockey, soccer, swimming, track & field
Youth Enrichment and ● Sports Program (for children 12-14 years old) – provides academic tutoring, sports and enrichment sessions.
Fit2Lead Park Internship
● Program (for children 15-17 years year old) – offers entry level, part-time, paid positions.
For more ideas and information on sports offered through MiamiDade Parks, visit:
https://www8.miami dade.gov/global/ recreation/just-for-kids .page
Felicia Yan is a fourth year medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine working on her Medical Doctorate and Master of Public Health degrees. Julia Belkowitz, M.D., MPH, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, contributed to this column. For more information, visit umiamihealth.org/pediatrics.