Be
The Change You Want to See In Your Children
Do you know how to be the change for your children? Why do I
ask?
Well, because I
don't believe
that children are to blame for being overweight, but I
also don't point the finger at any one person or group for this global
epidemic we have called "Childhood Obesity." In fact, there are several
underlying factors that influence whether or not a child will be
overweight. Some of these influences are:
- Genetics (small
percentage)
- Lifestyle (large
percentage)
- Parents'
habits
- Hobbies/Interests
(ie: video
games vs. basketball)
- Whether or not
relatives and
friends are overweight
- Media and
government
perversions
Well, the last one is more pointing the finger at big government and
lobbying special interest groups more than anything, but it does play a
pivotal role in the weight issues of our youth.
My question to you and every parent out there is...
ARE YOU LOOKING
AFTER
YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH?
After all, if you are not looking after your child's
welfare, who is?
Certainly not the government. They are more worried about how they are
going to afford to pay for little Johnny to go to the doctor for
diabetes than they are putting physical education activities back on
the map. Friends are a good source of encouragement...when your child
is older. And even then it will only be a factor if your child's
friends are healthy and his/her best interests at heart.
So, when it
really comes down to it, who is looking after your baby's welfare, if
not you? No one really. Sure, the doctor wants to help, but
she also
wants to move on to the next patient as well and earn her paycheck.
That's why you need to 'be the change' you want to see in
your children. You
really need to understand that the only way to steer your children
towards a healthy existence is by being the role model that you want
them to aspire to. Mahatma Gandhi said it best: "Be the change you wish
to see in the world." In other words, be that which you want your
children to be. Don't practice "Do as I say, not as I do," but rather,
"do as I do." Therefore, be
the change!
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