Kids today are generally more over-weight than generations before them. There are many reasons for this. The type of quick and easy food that is purchased and eaten causes nutritional issues with the caloric intake. Most kids do not take advantage of playing outdoors anymore like the "good old days" of running around the neighborhood, playing in the creek, riding their bikes, etc. Societal causes for this are typically safety concerns by their parents, so kids spend time indoors or at carefully crafted activities provided by their parents. And many kids simply do not have to do the hard work that past generations were required to do to support the family.

The bottom line is that kids today eat too much junk and they exercise far too little. Sure there are athletic kids who participate in many activities like football, soccer, baseball, gymnastics and karate to name a few. But there are many kids who do basically nothing all day except watch TV and play video games. These are fine activities when done in moderation, of course

Childhood obesity rates in England and Wales have slowed in recent years from a peak of 18.9% in 2004 to around 16% in 2008. 

However, nearly a third of our children (30%) are deemed overweight or obese.  This is a totally unacceptable figure.

As we grow older we begin to realise how many of our current eating patterns and associations with food began in our childhood.

In our last post we shared with you 10 tips to help drive down childhood obesity rates.

As adults and guardians, we all need to take responsibility for the fact that in 2008 16% of children in England & Wales were obese. The figures may be coming down but they are still way too high.

As I know this is a major concern for many of you, I wanted to share 10 more tips with you to help you tackle the issues:-

1.Ensure that as a family you're active. Going to the park, cycling, swimming, playing football - it's good for you and good for them.

2.Walk or cycle to school if at all possible - kids these days are pretty passionate about the environment so use that as your reason!

3.Encourage your children to become involved in lots of different activities. Talking to a friend of mine last night her 15 year old boy is into fishing, pheasant beating and motor mechanics. What a wonderful array of interests.

4.Keep them mentally stimulated. Talk to them, play with them, read to them. Take them to play groups, museums, art galleries, the theatre. Stimulate all their senses. A lot of over-eating is boredom - as you well knowAre you concerned about your child's weight or diet?

I was watching a TV program this week about childhood obesity. It introduced us to overweight toddler and older children.


The childhood obesity rates are climbing in many "Western" Countries. Some of the children featured didn't necessary look at if they were in the obese category.

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