A Parent’s Responsibility
The Prevention of Childhood Obesity
When we hold our tiny newborn in our arms for the first time we immediately begin thinking of what we can do to provide for our child and make their life better than ours. We think about all that we plan to do to ensure they have everything they need to be successful in life. None of us think about our child being one of the statistics; negative statistics.
We never think about the possibility that our child will be 1 out of 3 children that is obese. We don’t think of our child having heart problems, high blood pressure or having to inject themselves with insulin because of diabetes.
The lifestyle we teach our children has everything to do with the outcome of poor health. We’re careful to teach them a spiritual life but too often neglect proper food and exercise as part of a complete upbringing. We don’t do it intentionally, we simply don’t think about it as we should.
Our children are looking to us for direction. As parents, that responsibility has been placed on us not only to provide the basics for our children but, guide them and teach them to be wise in their choices so they can go on to live a bountiful life for Christ.
Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version)
6 Train [a] a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 4 has many more scriptures instructing us to teach our children, lead them and provide the wisdom they need.
In a recent interview with Women’s Health, here’s what Michelle Obama had to say:
We spend more money on health care than any other nation on earth, yet we are nowhere near the healthiest. And today, chronic and preventable illnesses like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure consume 85 percent of all healthcare spending.
And if you think that's bad, just wait a few years. Because right now, nearly a third of all children in this country are overweight or obese, and a third will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lifetimes. In the African American and Hispanic communities, that number goes up to half.
We have an individual responsibility to look after ourselves and our families by making better choices when it comes to what we eat and making exercise a regular part of our lifestyle. We need to educate children in particular about how to live a healthy lifestyle. If we provide kids with [that] foundation, they are much more likely to become healthy adults.
Obesity and the side effects of obesity is one of the easiest diseases to prevent. Preventing our children from becoming overweight means adapting the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping kids lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example. Aren’t your children worth it?
Phyllis Stewart is the author of God’s Temple-40 Days to Total Transformation and This is It. She spent almost 3 years in Iraq serving the troops by managing sports, fitness and recreation facilities and programs. Since returning to the states she is fitness coaching online and by phone and resides in Vienna, Virginia. For more information about Phyllis or her services please visit www.expectsuccesspt.com or email her at phyllis@expectsuccesspt.com.