Posts Tagged ‘Physical exercise’

Research Shows a Cold Virus Could Contribute to Childhood Obesity

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

We only have a few more days left in this series of posts about childhood obesity to honor National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Before you dismiss this as a glorified excuse for overweight kids, look at this research. Some of the problem could be traced to a certain strain of the virus that causes the common cold.

It’s called adenovirus 36, and it causes the common cold. New research showed a surprising result. Children with this particular strain of virus were an average of 50 pounds heavier than children who hadn’t! Yes, 50 pounds! That is a lot of weight – especially for a child.

The researchers hope by learning about this unlikely cause, people will be less likely to blame children and focus more on the ways to combat childhood obesity. It also helps people see that obesity is not a simple issue with simple answers.

Even if the virus does cause extra weight gain it’s still important to eat healthy  and exercise. “There’s no question that eating healthfully and having regular, fun physical activity is good for you. The reason we care about these behaviors is improving health.”

The study was not large — it included 124 children between the ages of 8 and 18. 62% of the children were Hispanic, 27% were white and 11% were black. 56% were male. More than half of the children — 67 — were considered obese for their age and gender.

15% of the children had antibodies to adenovirus 36 (AD36). So they had been previously infected with this virus. Almost one in four (22%) obese children tested positive for AD36. Just 7% of the non-obese children showed exposure. On average, children who were positive for a previous adenovirus 36 infection were about 50 pounds heavier than those who tested negative.

“Even within the entire group of obese children, those who were AD36-positive weighed about 35 pounds more than obese children who hadn’t been infected with AD36.”

The study appeared in the Sept. 20 online issue of Pediatrics.

If this study holds true then hopefully there will be a vaccine to prevent AD36 at some point. But of course it could be that already obese children are more susceptible to this virus. While the weight differences are dramatic the number of children in the study is small.

Tips to help children avoid obesity:

  • eat breakfast every day
  • be sure kids get adequate sleep
  • limit sweet beverages (soda and juice) and fast food
  • make physical activity a daily habit and getting a dog may help
  • families need to eat meals together
  • parents need to limit time watching TV, computer time and time spent playing video games.
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Want to Fight Childhood Obesity? Get a Dog

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

A new study has an innovative approach to helping kids slim down – walk the dog.

“A study of more than 2,000 young people in London and the Midlands found that children with dogs spend an average of 325 minutes doing physical activity per day, which is 11 minutes more than those without dogs.”

It probably helps to have a reason to get outside. Dogs need to be walked and so do kids. Another idea is to take the dog to the playground or a dog park. Many swimming pools let dogs come and swim at the end of the season. Dogs can make exercising more enjoyable for kids (and adults!).

This isn’t the first study that shows that dogs can help with physical fitness. Researchers from St George’s, University of London, said that dog owners also spent 11 minutes less sitting still each day (probably because they have to get up to feed or let the dog out). They also took 4% more steps.

“A report from the British Heart Foundation found that 15% of boys and 19% of girls do not even get 30 minutes of physical activity each day. It’s recommended that they get 60 minutes.”

So if you need some motivation to help your kids be more active, consider getting a new family pet. A dog might just be a great investment in your children’s health.

See: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23880908-walking-the-dog-could-help-children-avoid-obesity.do

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How you Can Help Fight Childhood Obesity?

Monday, June 21st, 2010

I’ve been writing about Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative to fight childhood obesity. Rubberecycle supports these efforts and encourages parents to take their kids to the park this summer. There are parks for children of all ages — including a video game park — which I’ll write about in a future post. The idea is to help your children be more active. They’ll sleep better, be happier and more fit.

Here are some ideas to help families make healthy food choices and choose ways to encourage physical activity:

  • Launch a city website with information for parents on healthy living.
  • Create a healthy food promotional campaign, and offer a “healthy eating” designation to restaurants who offer healthier food and beverages and reasonably-sized portions.
  • Form a community coalition tasked with identifying local barriers to healthy living.
  • Promote local community organizations that provide access to healthy activities.
  • Through public service announcements and community events:
  • Serve as a role model in your own community by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
  • Encourage parents to become healthy role models for their children.
  • Encourage parents to help children get off to a good start by promoting breastfeeding.

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