Fat Loss 4 Idiots Opinion

Monday, April 13, 2009

Ab Workout - Your Influence On Your Children

By Jose Loni

Include combating childhood obesity in your ab workout arsenal as childhood obesity is the leading cause of adult abdominal obesity. Children today have lost the balance between the energy they take in and the energy they expend, which is key to a healthy weight. They are faced with more food choices, more processed foods and large food portions. And modern man has engineered physical activity out of our children's lives, replacing it with remote controls, computer and video games. As a result, childhood obesity is on the rise.

The single largest factor in childhood obesity is lack of physical activity and excessive sedentary behaviour-watching too much television and playing too many video games. This sedentary lifestyle is the greatest risk factor when it comes to collecting fat around the abdomen. Abdominal fat is the invisible fat surrounding the inner organs, which gives the stomach its roundness and height.

Excess fat in the stomach area is more damaging for the heart than a few extra pounds on your bottom, thighs and hips. Each centimeter increase in the waistline increases the risk of heart disease because abdominal fat is more active. It enters the blood system and adversely affects our blood vessels, liver, blood fats and blood pressure. It also slows sugar metabolism since the body's insulin becomes less effective.

But these health dangers are manageable with exercises that pulverize abdominal fat. Jungle gym, jogging, walking, dancing or even just playing outdoors at least half an hour 2-3 times a week can prevent childhood obesity. Parents can actively participate in their children's well-being by sharing these activities and more with them and by limiting television and computer/gaming time, greatly reducing 'sitting' time.

Schools can do their part by organizing a more appealing physical education program. Offer classes like martial arts, basketball, baseball, and dance to attract much more participation from students, which is needed to combat childhood obesity.

School cafeterias can also serve healthier food choices and smaller portions for its students to increase alertness (high fat and high carbohydrate foods lead to lethargy) and avoid overeating. At home, parents should lead by example and serve nutritious food and a well-balanced diet.

There is an unfortunate correlation between the increase in child obesity and the popularity of video games. In addition, a decreased interest in customary outdoor play, overuse of the internet and the proliferation of television programming contribute to the rise in childhood obesity.

But your influence on your children and their developing an ab workout is their primary defense against childhood obesity simply because they do what their parents do. The key is getting them active and educated with their choices and lifestyle while they are young to avoid adult abdominal obesity. And your example is the best way to influence your children. - 17269

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