NFL Players Give Back January 21, 2009
Posted by Marilyn in children's obesity.Tags: children's obesity, NFL, NFL Play60, Steelers
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Over the past 8 or so months, I’ve become something of a football fan. It’s hard not to be in my house, with two men (my boyfriend and our roommate) constantly controlling the remote all weekend. We were all watching the Steelers this weekend when I saw a promotion for NFL Play 60, a “national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.”
This program is a refreshing look inside the NFL and a stark contrast to the ridiculous celebratory end zone dancing, dirty fouls and general testosterone-driven debauchery on the football field. I am a fan of the “Did You Know” section, which offers up a few surprising tidbits of information that may just get you off the computer and outside. Better yet, take your kids with you, as childhood obesity now affects 1 out of 3 children in the U.S. That’s a huge and scary number. Once you’ve had your 60 minutes of activity, take some time to look at what NFL Play 60 is doing with the community. There is a Super Bowl contest, a Kids’ Day at The NFL Experience, school visits and festivals.
NFL Play 60 has partnered with some impressive names, such as The American Heart Association, Nike and The United Way, among others. Donations are taken through the site.
Summer Camp in December? December 5, 2008
Posted by Marilyn in children's obesity.Tags: Blast Wellness, Camp Shining Stars, children's obesity, exercise, fitness, Healthy Children Foundation, Ira Green, weight loss
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I mentioned in my first post that I had previously worked at a weight loss camp. I wanted to take the time to share that experience with you, as the director has moved on to other great healthy lifestyle programs for kids.
Ever since watching MTV’s I’m at Fat Camp, part of the True Life series, I wanted to become a counselor at a weight loss camp. In the summer of 2004, I got my chance, working at Camp Timber Creek. It was one of the hardest, most demanding jobs I’ve ever had. I was a direct counselor over girls ages 10-12, but I also acted as a lifeguard and presided over free time activities in the evenings. I had prepared myself for the physical aspect of it—working long, hot summer days, cheering kids on and joining in on sports games that I had no idea how to play.
What I didn’t prepare for were the emotional side effects of obesity, especially with children who are already at a fragile age in the development cycle. One of the most common answers I got when I asked girls what was wrong or if I could help was, “You wouldn’t understand. You’ve never been fat.” What I tried to come back with was, “Well, that’s true. But I have understood what it’s like to be sad, angry, hopeless, confused and picked on. I can help if you’ll let me.” Sometimes it worked, other times, the solution was to stop pushing and just be there when I was needed.
I think what made that job so hard was the constant emotion that was running through the camp. There was a continuous roller coaster of feelings ranging from excitement to downright frustration. At the same time, it was so extremely rewarding to watch the kids complete a mile run for the first time, to compare weight loss during weigh-in and to vow to never put the weight on again. The oldest boy in the camp during my summer was 17 and was too overweight to join the armed forces, which was a dream of his. At the end of the summer, he was the male camper with the largest amount of weight loss. I never heard whether or not he joined the armed forces, but I hope that he followed every single one of his dreams.
Camp Timber Creek was founded by Ira Green and is now Camp Shining Stars. Ira is now heading up several other weight loss programs for kids. He has truly dedicated his life to helping children learn how to live healthy lifestyles. Ira is also the founder of Blast Wellness, a fitness facility for kids in Durham, NC, and the Healthy Children Foundation, which focuses on education and support for overweight children.
If your child is struggling with weight issues, and you’re looking for a summer camp, I suggest taking a look at Ira’s programs. If you’re in the Durham area, stop by Blast Wellness. Tell Ira I said hi!
Is your kindergartener on a diet? November 7, 2008
Posted by Marilyn in children's obesity.Tags: children's obesity, clinic programs, David Ludwig, Rainbow Babies, weight loss
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I recently spent 7 hours traveling from Montana to Tennessee, so imagine my delight when I found an abandoned People magazine on my last flight of the day. Inside, I found an intriguing article entitled, “The Kindergarten Diet”, which discusses the growing trend of putting kids as young as 5 years old on a diet.
Many aspects of this article intrigued me; some concerned me, such as the following statement:
“Some doctors are beginning to put children on diets if their body mass index…hits the 95th percentile or above, even if they’re as young as 2.”
Children are being put on diets at age 2? I know that preventing obesity is easier than treating it, but my concern here is not the physical and medical aspect of an early diet; it’s the mental and emotional repercussions that result from putting a child on a weight loss program at such a young age.
Some child weight loss programs are listed in the article, including David Ludwig’s Optimal Weight for Life Clinic in Boston, and the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland. I checked out both websites, and I like their operating philosophies. Dr. Ludwig’s initial consultation includes a discussion of why the child might be overweight, the implications of obesity and a personalized treatment plan. Nutritional counseling and behavior modification are included as well.
While I couldn’t find any program entitled “weight loss” or “obesity” on the Rainbow Hospital website, I did find a nutrition section. They also have an endocrinology department.
Both of these treatment options presented in the article seem to focus on lifestyle changes and healthy living, as opposed to dieting. I think that’s an appropriate approach, especially for children who are still growing into their bodies, who still must make it through the changes that come with puberty, and who have to eventually learn how to provide a healthy lifestyle for themselves. It’s up to the parents to make sure your child doesn’t see changes in his or her diet as a punishment for being overweight, and to make it understood that it isn’t about looks, but about health and wellness. Most of all, start with proper nutrition and diet control as your child starts eating solid foods. Make sure they get enough exercise and don’t stay in front of the television and computer. Not only will they get enough activity, but they might also find other interests, such as sports and volunteering, that will keep them engaged for years to come.
For those of who you would like to read the People magazine article, it is in the November 3, 2008 edition of the magazine.
