Hints to a Better Way of Living:
Weight Management and Children
Findings from a recent national study suggest preschool-aged children have a 40 percent lower risk of obesity if they consistently incorporate one or more of three specific household routines such as: eat dinner as a family five or more times a week; get between 10.0 and 10.5 hours of sleep; and exposure to electronic devices such as television, video games and/or computers is limited to two hours daily. Studies also show that exposure to electronic devices should be done in dosages that allow for physical activity in increments of 15 to 30 minutes in duration between activities. For example: a child could watch a television program for 30 minutes and spend 10 to 15 minutes playing outside before resuming exposure to electronics. These studies are significant because they examined more than 8,000 children and the results held true for each socioeconomic and ethnic group studied. The study even looked at families that were already at risk for obesity. Get involved as a family in physical activity as a proactive measure. Local city community services are available, Chino has programs designed to help, Healthy Chino and Chino Walks; visit Upland's outdoor Farmer's Market held weekly in downtown Upland and shop together as a family for healthy food choices. As a parent, you are your child's greatest role model, remain physically active and encourage your child to join you when you go to the gym or enroll them in one tailored for kids, like My Gym in Rancho Cucamonga. Source: Ohio State, Research Communications, February 8, 2010
