3 Sports And Activities Against Childhood Obesity

Obesity and childhood obesity are growing health disorders, especially due to technological advances and changes in children’s habits.

But it is not a matter of stigmatizing technology, but rather of encouraging children to move a little more, as they did before mobile devices emerged. No matter how attractive the screens are, sports and outdoor physical activity should never be neglected.

Here are some very helpful recommendations on how to get your kids started. Read on!

Tips to prevent childhood obesity

Obesity in children is a multifactorial disease. For this reason, several crucial factors must be combined for it to occur. Among them, poor diet, unhealthy sleep habits and a sedentary lifestyle seem to be the most relevant.

As a mother, you should pay attention to each and every one of them and look for ways to guide your children to a healthier lifestyle.

A good way to start is by offering a balanced diet rich in proteins, vegetables and getting synthetic (or ultra-processed) foods.

Then you can move on to improving sleep habits and prioritizing fixed bedtime for all ages. Remember that it is best to sleep at least 8 hours during the night to get a good sleep.

Also try to control the time spent on technologies, especially video games and mobile phones. We are not saying you should take everything from them. Rather, work with your children to establish a strategy for responsible and controlled use.

Lastly, you should promote sports and outdoor activities. These not only provide physical health benefits, such as the prevention of obesity, but also help improve children’s psychological and emotional health.

Sports and activities to prevent childhood obesity

The most important thing is that the sport or physical activity that your children perform is to their liking. Make sure they agree on the activity and when they are older, you can also involve them in the choice of the sport they are going to practice. After all, motivation will be the driving force for continuity in the future.

While all sports are good, there are some that offer more benefits than others. Here are some of our recommendations.

1. Football, basketball and volleyball

These are the most common sports in the world and are a great alternative to breaking a sedentary lifestyle and promoting healthy lifestyle habits.

Since they are known worldwide, it is not difficult to find a place to grow them. There are even free opportunities that take place on school and municipal football fields. All you need is a ball and some playmates.

Football, basketball and volleyball offer many benefits associated with their wide range of motion and intensity. For this reason, children who cultivate them use a lot of energy and it favors control of body weight.

2. Swimming and cycling

Both swimming and cycling are considered the most perfect sports in the world. But to practice them, children need to go to training.

Exercising regularly not only avoids the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, but also provides many physical and psychological benefits for children. It is worth mentioning that both sports strengthen the endurance and cardiovascular health of the children who practice them.

3. Walking and alternative activities

Walking is the most important physical activity among people as it can be done anytime and anywhere. It is also a good excuse to spend time doing something healthy in the company of family.

As for alternative activities, you can encourage your children to engage in any physical activity with their peers. Ideally, you should look for outdoor activities that create good physical mobility.

Why is it important to play sports in childhood?

Exercising helps combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle and therefore becomes a strategy for preventing childhood obesity.

At the same time , sport also favors the psychophysical development of children and improves interpersonal social skills.

Physical activity does not mean playing sports, and the simple act of being active provides great health benefits. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day in all phases of life.

Childhood obesity: A problem that can affect anyone

As a mother, you should be aware of your children’s habits and help them develop healthy habits.

Childhood obesity is largely due to unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. So seek professional help from health and sports specialists to ensure good health for your children.