Comments on: A Healthy Body Equals a Healthy Mind…That Goes For Kids Too!

By: Velvet

Velvet — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:22:47 +0000

It is really a great article, I love your dedication to improve anyone.

By: forum

forum — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:48:40 +0000

I agree with Israel. Teaching them the value of physical activity and nutrition at an early age might help them avoid becoming overweight adults. Childhood obesity is a serious issue and needs to be addressed, because it is just setting these kids up for a lifetime of struggles and health problems.

By: Ann S

Ann S — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:15:33 +0000

Child obesity is definatly a huge concern for this generation, although I think it has been a growing concern for generations before. Children face so many stresses these days thru peer pressure also higher expectations of them. Food that is not healthy for us has always been referred to us as comfort food and with the growing popularity of tv and video games kids just dont exercise anymore. Keeping children active is so essential, staying healthy and increasing there self confidence is important. Riding bikes, swimming, playing sports and eating healthy snacks is definatly a start, it doesnt have to cost large amounts of money. We all need to look at our lifestyles and see that preparation and organization is all it takes. Family evening walks in the summer are relaxing and being together and returning home for a nice healthy snack that is already prepared ready for when you return ends the day nicely.
Taking time to prepare on the go snacks benefit everyone, and when children see there parents doing it they tend to follow suit.
Lets all try and work together to keep our children healthy and ourselves, we all deserve it.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:03:23 +0000

I agree. Obesity is affecting a lot more people now and it’s important for children to start changing their habits.

By: Jordan Hale

Jordan Hale — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:33:23 +0000

I love your dedication to your kids Mandy. I’m a father of two and one of them is having serious problems with obesity. I liked your first post with out the citations. Not only did it come from the hart but the “authorities” that we tend to cite have an astounding 98% failure rate! I’d rather hear from you.
Personally I’ve been obese for my entire life until 06 when my DR. pronounced an impending death sentence. I lost 200 pounds out of sheer terror but like you I’m starting to gain it back. I think the cravings can’t be over come by force of will, any more than breathing or body temperature. I think this is all being caused by what you said about the junk (empty) food. It seems that I’m not hungry for crap when I feed my body whole raw fruits and veggies. When I eat processed anything I get famished on a regular basis regardless of how much I eat. The question is … How do we get children to eat whole raw foods with out the processed crap in them? Notice how the obesity rate rose in lock step with the level of processing we did to our food.

God bless your efforts. Sometimes it seems like divine intervention is the our only hope.
–Jordy

By: Israel Lagares

Israel Lagares — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:17:14 +0000

My point exactly. Thanks Mandy!

By: Mandy

Mandy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:58:59 +0000

By: Israel Lagares

Israel Lagares — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:48:16 +0000

It’s not about weight loss at that age. It’s about making healthy decisions that will impact their future so that they won’t need to lose weight..

By: fitness medicine

fitness medicine — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:18:10 +0000

Nice things said here, and are true, but in my opinion a child should not do wight loss at all. i think wight loss should start from ages of 16-17 when most of the body is already wont grow anymore. and the bones structure is allmost at end. wight loss of a child can effect him for life.

By: Brett Sanders

Brett Sanders — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:01:35 +0000

Oh and I MASSIVELY agree with the rewards bit you said at the end of the post.

Children don’t always understand why they are doing something (i.e. they don’t understand the benefits of ‘health’) but will appreciate a reward like medals. Good job!

By: Brett Sanders

Brett Sanders — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:57:43 +0000

Fantastic post. I am glad that we have people like yourself working with children and being such a positive role model.

Health doesn’t have to be hard. Neither does life. But I am of the opinion that the parents are to blame for our children’s declining health.

Who else are the children to learn from?! It could be argued that television, computer games, the media, the government’s food and drug laws are to blame, but once again it is the parent’s that allow the children to have access to these things.

So I say, start with yourself (parents / adults) and set a good example to the children.

Thanks for the post!

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:50:47 +0000

I’m a big fan of this idea–i feel thhat part of feeling good is looking good, and part of looking good is being comfortable with your body and treating it well. The only way to know that you are doing yourself good is through the empowerment of education. Its so important for kids to know what they are doing and feel in total control.

By: CraigB

CraigB — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:33:49 +0000

I love what you are doing. Creating a foundation for healthy habits MUST begin early. So many of us adults have picked up unhealthy and counter-productive behaviors from our parents, guardians, and even our peers. We need to impress the basics of living healthy and being fit upon these kids while they are young so that it will be less of a struggle for them as they get older. Great Article!

By: Mandy

Mandy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:12:38 +0000

@Matt S., Alfon and MySensei:

Thanks for the positive feedback!

By: MySensei

MySensei — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:36:41 +0000

This is really a great article. What you are doing with the kids is what our youth need. In a generation full of technology, video games, and texting, youths don’t go out and play as much as they used to. Plus the junk food that’s out on the market appealing to kids doesn’t help. I admire what you are doing – there should be more teachers out there willing to help like you!

By: alfon

alfon — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:31:13 +0000

wow this is very nice article.. a healthy body and a healthy mind that makes people

By: Matt S

Matt S — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:09:24 +0000

This is great. Nutrition and brainpower go hand in hand.

It’s no secret that the modern North American diet includes far too little Omega-3 fatty acids, and far too much Omega-6. Supplementing with Omega-3 products, such as fish oils, can have an amazing impact on one’s brain function and aesthetic appeal over time.

By: Israel Lagares

Israel Lagares — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:24:54 +0000

Ah, communication and interactivity at its best!!!!

By: Mandy

Mandy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:10:19 +0000

@Mike – I can’t believe I didn’t cite my information sources in this post! As a teacher I should know better! LOL. That particular piece of information came from the Center for Disease Control, I believe. Here’s a link to their website:

Their website is http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html

Hope this is helpful!

–Mandy

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:15:49 +0000

Hello,

You wrote “At some point in the very near future, inactivity and poor diet will pass smoking as the number one cause of preventable death in the United States”

I was wondering if you have a source for this – I am collecting them. I know what a weird hobby.

In australia they figure obesity results in more premature deaths than smoking. Canada believes obesity causes the biggest strain on the health care system – much much bigger than smoking. The problem is I can never find sources.

Good luck to you