Did you know that India has the world’s second-highest obesity rate, with 14.4 million obese children? Isn’t this number huge? Obesity is one of the biggest public health problems of our times. This has led to an increase in health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty livers, and more health diseases.
These days, kids and fast food are forever companions, and keeping them in check is next to impossible sometimes. Moreover, due to covid, everything has shifted to online, it has a huge impact on kids’ physical and mental health. Online games have become a part of the norm. Kids have limited their ability to play outdoor games, indulge in sports training, and socialize with kids of their age which have increased the chances of health issues and obesity.
Thus, if not checked, obesity in childhood can lead to future health risks and problems. So, as a parent, you must make kids aware, active, and conscious of living a healthy lifestyle.
So, check out these 6 ways to reduce the risk of obesity in kids.
1. Develop Healthy Eating Habits
Developing healthy eating habits in kids might sound stressful to you, but you have a lot of alternatives and kid-friendly meals for picky eaters. They are still very young to learn to control their food intake. So, make sure to acknowledge them about how food can affect their bodies.
Allow your child to learn about healthy eating habits and the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. Along with knowledge, start giving them healthy foods in innovative ways that kids can’t resist. You can make oats, pancakes, wheat pasta loaded with finely cut veggies, burrito beans, fruit smoothies, and more.
2. Engage In Fun Dance Workouts For Kids
Isn’t it true that children enjoy dancing? Every time music is on, they can’t resist swaying and grooving to the beats. Is your kid one of them as well? If that’s the case, now is the time to sign them up for some fun dancing workouts that are suitable for beginners.
You can check out the Zumba dance classes, salsa dance, and freestyle dance classes. Dance workouts don’t follow any strict and disciplined regimen and can be the best companion for kids to reduce the risk of obesity through fun moves and steps. Furthermore, children will enjoy the combination of dancing and exercise, which will aid in the reduction of stress levels in the body, which is another major contributor to obesity.
3. Limit Their Screen-Time
Kids and screens go hand-in-hand. How many times a day do you find yourself screaming to your kids for limiting their screen time? At least 4–8 times a day? Isn’t it normal for screaming on top of your heads at kids to ask them to switch off TVs and keep off their phones? However, the problem persists. Why? Because we are more concerned with the problem than with the solution.
Set appropriate screen time limits and rules for your children. Various apps can assist in the monitoring and management of screen time. Also, strike a balance between screen time and other enjoyable activities. Allow children to choose their hobbies and urge them to spend their weekends and spare time away from screens.
4. Get Them Sports Training
Sports training is a great way to get your kids active and learn some teamwork skills. There are several sports training available that can provide a fun and safe environment for your kids to learn and their favorite sport.
This will allow them to learn discipline, and teamwork, manage their emotions, stay fit, and develop a life-long love for a sport. One of the benefits of participating in sports is that it can help kids to lose weight and get super-active. You can enroll them in cricket coaching, badminton classes, tennis classes, and more.
5. Start Your Child’s Yoga Classes
Yoga for Kids is fun and effective and there’s no need to search for local classes near you when you can start your child’s online yoga classes in the comfort of your home and that too under your supervision. If you’re looking for a way to get your kids active, fit, mindful, and healthy, yoga may be the perfect activity for them.
Yoga for kids is fun and easy to follow, making it a perfect activity for beginners. Plus, the health benefits of yoga are undeniable. Yoga can help improve your child’s balance, coordination, and breathing. It also helps to increase flexibility and strength. And, of course, it’s a great way to build self-confidence.
6. Encourage Kids To Participate In Any Physical Activity
One of the most important things parents can do for their children’s health is to encourage them to participate in physical activity. Physical activity benefits brain health, bone health, and cardiovascular health. It can also help kids avoid becoming obese. There are various strategies to encourage your children to engage in physical activity. You can begin by incorporating physical activity into your family’s daily routine. Allow your children to play in the park in the evenings, enroll them in swimming classes, take them cycling, and allow them to take skating classes, dance, or do whatever they want. Your aim is to encourage your kids to ditch screens and pursue physical activity every day. Such activities will help them release their stress and increase their level of happy hormones.
Conclusion
The obesity epidemic is particularly alarming because obesity in children is a risk factor. Obesity in childhood will lead to adults with serious health problems. The CDC reports that obesity in adults increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, some types of cancer, and other serious health problems. Kids need to teach about the repercussions of eating junk food and not limiting their screen time. Thus,as parents, focus on solutions and help their kids to overcome their unhealthy lifestyles. Assist them to take a turn toward healthy and positive living by following these 6 ways to reduce the risk of obesity in your kids.
Moreover, if you’re looking for dance classes, dance fitness workouts, Swimming classes, cricket coaching, badminton classes, or cycling classes, you don’t have to browse them on different websites, you can get all classes on 1 platform, PiggyRide. Visit this website and browse a wide range of courses for your kids right away!
Author
Hi Friends! I am Nidhi Arora. I am working as a content writer with PiggyRide. I earned a bachelor’s degree in literature from Delhi University and am currently pursuing an MA in Literature. I enjoy writing about everyday issues that will inspire you all to have a more fulfilling life. I’m probably happiest when I’m writing or reading.
