Written by Dwight ‘Mr. Cardiotone’ Calhoun
The smell of turkey, family coming to town and sitting down at the table together is a time to give thanks and a time of celebration. As we move into November; the month of Thanksgiving we must reflect back and celebrate the many gifts that we have been blessed to receive. Let us celebrate by giving praise for our most precious gifts, our children. When a child is born we pray that our children are born healthy and strong.
Therefore, if we pray that our children are born healthy we must be equally cognoscente that their health remains in the forefront of our responsibilities. With the wide spread of childhood illnesses we must recognize that childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some studies have identified childhood obesity as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Statistics indicate that 38.2 percent of whites over the age of 18 did not engage in physical exercise (outside of work) in 2006. For blacks, the figure was 48.9 percent and for Hispanics it was an astonishing 53.4 percent. A much larger percentage of African American and Hispanic children ages 6 to 19 are considered overweight or obese than their white counterparts. Medical professionals are seeing diseases in children today that were not seen 25 years ago. For example, Type II Diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure are affecting our children at an alarming rate. With these astonishing facts and statistics in mind “if we are to have healthy adults we must begin with healthy children”.
We must address childhood obesity when children are in their early formative years by teaching and modeling the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. As part of the solution to addressing childhood obesity, there are unique programs that have been developed and implemented throughout the country that put the fun back in fitness. These programs encourage children to get off the cell phone and out from in front o f the television and away from the video games. Subsequently to engage in more outdoors physical activities; whereas children have the opportunity to join in old school games such as For example; red light-green light, hopscotch, twisters; the games we all know and love. These activities help to strengthen and develop a child’s coordination, gross and fine motor skills.
These games do not encourage competiveness; instead they build the child’s self confidence, and teach team work and social skills. Another important aspect of these games and activities is that it promotes and encourages children to adopt a more environmentally friendly attitude by teaching children to take care of the planet and its vital resources.
The Let’s Move Initiative that our First Lady has started has helped many organizations and parents to get their children active. We should all understand that if our children are unhealthy that means that our future is unhealthy.
As we gather around the table to give thanks and celebrate, let us provide healthy alternatives to the traditional holiday dishes and encourage our children and the entire family to walk, dance and exercise as a family.
Visit www.letsmove.gov for resources and information.
About the Author: Mr. Cardio- Tone is a certified personal trainer, dance and fitness instructor. He offers high energy, high impact cardio workouts using the latest urban line dances. Unlike other workout routines, you will not even feel like you are exercising. Visit http://www.urbanlinedancefitness.com/#bio for more information.
