A Healthy Alternative for Growing Children

Children’s lifestyles today are significantly different than they were a generation ago. They grow up in busy households and are faced with more distractions than ever before. The pressure to achieve is greater than ever. Parents are “on-the-go” and are justifiably concerned that their children are not eating and drinking enough of the right foods and beverages. Childhood obesity rates are at all-time highs.

With these concerns in mind, we developed our KIDStrong^® products to provide a healthy alternative for growing children. Our goals are twofold:

1. Combat childhood obesity through the promotion of scientifically-developed, nutritionally-sound, low sugar, low glycemic index products specifically designed for children.
2. Educate parents, children, local communities, and the world concerning the dangers of childhood obesity and the path to an active, healthy, and productive lifestyle.

The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity

The established risk factors for heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other debilitating diseases occur with greater frequency in overweight children, and many studies show a strong correlation between soft drink consumption and the risk of childhood obesity. With this in mind, the fact that a typical American child consumes at least two 12 ounce cans of soft drinks a day, each containing approximately 300 calories and 20 teaspoons of sugar, should cause alarm.

Exercise, Fitness, and Your Children

Exercise helps to regulate body fat so that your child will be less likely to become overweight. Exercise may also help to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and heart disease later on in life. Your child will also develop a leaner physique with stronger muscles and bones. Being physically fit and active also helps to improve your child’s sleeping habits and their mental agility in day-to-day tasks.

It should be noted that all children are not the same when it comes to their attitude towards physical activity. Some children are happy to join in with their friends and be active while others are shy and may be resistant to getting involved in team activities. For these children, one way to encourage physical activity is to involve the whole family.

When we talk about exercise routines for children, we should not get them confused with the strict routines that adults follow. Children’s exercise routines should be fun, flexible, and enjoyable. You can incorporate aerobic exercises, strength-building exercises, and activities to improve flexibility into your child’s routines in order to build overall fitness.

As well as encouraging your child to exercise, you should also try to limit their inactivity. For example, set limits on the amount of television your child watches and the length of time they play video games. The amount of time children spend doing these types of activities has increased dramatically in recent years. Instead of letting them sit around, try to ensure that your child is involved in play that is physically active.

Become a positive role model for your children and involve the whole family in a new, healthier lifestyle. Your child should take part in exercises that are fun, as well as appropriate for their age group. By understanding the importance of exercise in your child’s well-being, you can instill within them healthy fitness habits that will stay with them for years to come.