Your Child and the Benefits of Early Physical Fitness

It may surprise you to find out that according to the World Health Organization, there are about 45 million obese children across the globe, though the statistic may be more unsettling because an estimated 35 million of these individuals are from developing countries. It may be difficult to determine whether a child may be obese or not, because as we know, kids grow at different rates. Factor in genetics, spurts and body fat, the only reliable way to conclude obesity is through diagnosis from your pediatrician.
 
It may seem trivial, as you find yourself thinking that a chubby child will eventually “grow out of it”, but it may startle some to know that overweight and obese children will most likely become large adults, and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among other complications are greater. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an obese child is more likely to develop not just physical conditions very early in life (sore joints, high blood pressure) but are also prone to becoming depressed, develop low self esteem and are more likely to have eating disorders and substance abuse issues in their teens.
 
The World Health organization declares that obesity is highly preventable and recommends at least 60 minutes of light to vigorous exercise each day, more if the child is managing weight. Also, avoiding saturated fats and excess sugar as well as adding vegetables and whole grains to the diet are facts recognized by most parents, yet seldom applied. Many parents acknowledge the benefits of exercise, so emphasis on encouraging a child to love fitness is crucial to optimal development. And though you can’t enroll your two year old in a mixed martial arts class just yet, there are incalculable alternatives. You just might be surprised.
 
Drew Andrada, father of four fit children, a champion bodybuilder with fifteen years of personal training on his belt (as well as life support, specialized training for children and older adults) comments that:

“The best exercise for kids is to get moving. Develop some fun fitness ideas for kids. We're not talking about body building or abandoning them to the treadmill for a half hour each day. If it's not fun, they won't do it. But, we can't put our kids in front of the computer, television, and PlayStation for entertainment and then scratch our heads wondering how they became overweight.”

 

Click here to read more about the benefits of early physical fitness.

[gallery]286[gallery]

[previous|page|next]

Read on to learn more about the benefits of early physical fitness.

And for fitness methods he adds that:
“I dont really recommend bodybuilding or resistance training during growth phase, maaapektuhan kasi ‘yung bone growth, ‘di na sila tatangkad. (Their bone growth will be affected and they won’t grow tall) That's the main problem when you start bodybuilding or resistance training at an early age. Unless na gifted ka, bata ka pa tapos matangkad ka na, puwede pa siguro.” (Unless you’re gifted, if you’re particularly tall for your young age).”
 
If you choose to find a trainer for a sport, Drew notes that “a good instructor always designs a program based on the client’s ability and history, ‘di ka lang basta nagbibigay ng program (you don’t just indiscriminately give programs. It’s also about careful planning.)”
 
To break it down, here are some recommended activities for each age group, note to always get clearance from your pediatrician before embarking on any regimen or sport.
•    Toddlers (2-4 years):  Running, skipping, jumping, outdoor play, indoor toddler gym play, basketball (shooting and passing), ball throwing, soccer (kicking). Although some four-year-olds may begin organized play lessons for soccer, very supervised swimming.
•    PreSchooler (4-6 years): The activities above, but many kids this age can participate in team sports. Some martial art disciplines like Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling fundamentals.  
•    Big Kids (6-7 years): More of the above. This is a great age to begin plenty of sporting activities such as basketball, soccer, tennis, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Wushu and kickboxing. Body weight exercises.
 
Personally, as an athlete, I recommend Judo as early as a qualified instructor will allow. I started with Judo at four, and it greatly helped me develop balance and “falling” skills. We all know that kids fall, it’s inevitable, but with knowledge on “how to fall” or “proper landing” this can be of essence to any situation whether it be in the playground or a basketball game in the future.  

 

Click here to read more about the benefits of early physical fitness.

[gallery]286[gallery]

[previous|page|next]

Read on to learn more about the benefits of early physical fitness.

Coach Virgilo Openo, former world bantamweight champion and trainer of current titleholders and fitness enthusiast shares his experiences:
 
“Sa probinsya, nagtuturo ako ng boxing ‘pag eight years old na ‘yung bata.  Ang importante ay ang hilig ng bata, maganda ito kasi binibigyan ng disiplina ang bata.  Depende sa coach at sa magulang kung hahayaan nilang maging bayolente ang bata sa school, kailangan turuan siya kung ano tama at mali.” (In the province, I start teaching boxing when a child is eight.  It’s imperative that the child is willing.  This is good because it gives the child discipline.  It’s up to the coach and parents to teach the child not to be violent in school, they should teach the child about right and wrong”)
 
The benefits of physical activity for a young child include:
•    Psychological well being, confidence, self reliance
•    Social development (more friends of good influence in the same sports)
•    Superior general health and mobility
•    Financial flexibility for the family: less “sick days” for a child
•    Better coordination and concentration
 
A young child exposed to being healthy will most likely turn out to be active and strong adults, and will lessen the negative effects of natural teenage rebellion. In order to keep this in practice, it would be ideal for the whole family to be into athletics, and this can even become a regular practice. Running together, swimming, nature hikes among others are catalysts for family bonding.
 
The kids you raise this way will grow up with these tremendously positive values that he or she will be able to impart to future generations. A truly beautiful legacy.
 
(You may not that I am a former Amateur Boxer, National Level, professional boxer and Mixed martial arts practitioner and former motorcycle champion and avid wakeboarder)
[gallery]286[gallery]