Poor diet, lack of physical activity, inadequate sleep, eating in front of the TV, and reduced chewing movements are some of the reasons for childhood obesity. Studies have shown that eight-year-old boys are twice as likely to be obese or overweight as girls of the same age. Poor diet characterized by excessive quantity and increased caloric intake, poor food quality, lack of physical activity, preference for sweets, sugary drinks, chocolate, pastries, fast-food items, inadequate sleep, eating in front of the TV or computer – these are well-known reasons. The only remedies for childhood obesity are a healthy diet, physical activity, and affection.
There are spaces where children can expend their energy, engage in physical activities either outdoors or in specially designed centers. Regardless of the season, movement is crucial for digestion. It's beneficial to introduce fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains into children's diets and encourage them to engage in more physical activity. We're not talking about slow-paced movement here, but at the very least, lively walks or other physical activities that require effort.
Play is the primary activity of a child. It plays a crucial role in their physical and psychological development. When skillfully employed by parents, it becomes an essential educational tool with multiple influences on a child's growth. Movement play is both physical exercise and a primary means of a child's harmonious development, serving as an educational tool that satisfies their need for movement and action to the highest degree. Movement, the main component of these games, comes in a variety of forms to ensure the optimal framework for basic skill development and the formation of qualities such as speed, endurance, precision, dexterity, self-control, and more.
Play is not only essential for physical education but also for a child's intellectual, moral, and aesthetic education. Within games, children learn to respect rules, to be orderly and disciplined. In movement games, children use their bodies in actions that engage their motor skills, thereby exercising and developing both the physical and the psychological aspects closely linked to physical progress.
Physical activity is important at any age, which is why it's good to introduce children from a very young age to physical effort, as movement means health. Physical movement helps tone our bodies, make us more energetic, and even improve our health. Easy exercises, intense workouts, or new techniques involving both the body and mind – all forms of sports are welcome when we realize the benefits this lifestyle can bring us. Sometimes, convenience is stronger than the desire to look good, healthy, toned, and fit. That's why we need strong motivations to mobilize ourselves.
Walking, running, outdoor team sports, cycling, or rollerblading are all within reach for anyone who wants to replace a sedentary lifestyle with an active one. Moderate physical activity is recommended for 30 minutes a day. Children and adolescents need at least an hour of physical activity per day for harmonious development.