When I look back on my childhood during the 1970's, I can remember that there were very few really overweight children. There were chubby children (I was one of them!) but very few very heavy children. This prompted me to think what has changed over the years? It can't just be the fact that they have access to more food, there must be more to it than that. And I believe there are some key factors that have lead us all down this path. And it's not all doom and gloom - it is easily rectifiable.
The Art of Home Cooking is being lost.
My Mum always cooked for us. There were no ready meals, no readymade sauces, and veg was cheaper than meat. So we had lots of veg, and my Mum had complete control over what was going into our bodies. I now do the same with my kids - I'm not saying I cook big meals every mealtime, but I don't buy convenience food, unless you count tins of chopped tomatoes as convenience food. One of their favourite meals is boiled egg and soldiers - how simple and nutritious can it get?
There's also the myth that healthy food is more expensive than convenience food. Tosh. Six bananas are far cheaper than six bags of crisps.
Kids are chauffeured around.
We only had one car when I was a kid, and my Dad had to use it for work. Money was not plentiful, so we walked. Everywhere. And I didn't think anything of it. My senior school was 3 miles away, and I walked or cycled every day. And so did most other kids. And the best bit? Getting to chat to my mates as we walked home. Why do parents feel they have to ferry their children around? Give them some fun, responsibility and FREEDOM.
It's now 'normal' to be obese.
When considering what size we are, we always compare ourselves to other people. If we are the same, then it seems to sanctify whatever we are. If there are more overweight people it becomes acceptable to be overweight.
Kids either don't want to, or aren't allowed, to play outside.
I remember spending nearly all day every day outside during school holidays. I came home at mealtimes, and spent the rest of the day charging around with my mates. This isn't some Utopian dream of a safe place where kids can roam free, there were very real dangers, but I was with my mates, and I was TAUGHT by my parents what to do if anything nasty should happen. It IS safe to let your kids play outside, as long as they are aware of the dangers and what to do about them.
An important point about playing outside - childrens TV was only on for a couple of hours (if that) a day, and there weren't computers or consoles, so we had to entertain ourselves. And we LOVED it.
Author Resource:-
Ray Subs is a public relations expert who is working with Advance Personal Training. More information about us can be found at
http://www.advance-pt.co.uk
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