Location, location, location
Last week I blogged about research showing that when schools are very close to fast-food restaurants, kids are more likely to be obese. It turns out that the same organization that published that study, the National Bureau of Economic Research, also published another paper recently that came to a somewhat different conclusion.
This second paper, based on research done at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, didn't find a strong link between weight gain and proximity to a fast-food restaurant. However, the study did show that living near certain "recreational amenities," such as fitness areas, kickball diamonds, and volleyball courts, could lower children's BMI.
It just goes to show that childhood obesity is a complex problem, one that can't be eradicated with any single, simple solution. And that no matter where you live, it's up to you to help your child live a healthier life.
Comments
It’s true, obesity and all lifestyle problems are complex. That’s why it’s so important for parents to instill healthy values into their children at a very young age. Otherwise, they have to play catch-up, and that’s difficult to overcome.
I wonder if your site has any articles or tips for families where one parent is active and the other one is not?
I grew up with this dynamic, and it had some unfortunate results. My mom was always very fit, but she enjoyed exercise classes rather than “playing” or sports, so my brother and I were not really included in her good habits. My dad didn’t have any healthy habits.
As a young adult, I’ve embraced a healthy lifestyle on my own and want to pass that lifestyle on to my kids one day. However, the guy I am with, who has many wonderful attributes, does not pursue fitness or healthy eating. He insists he will “at some point” and agrees that we want our kids to be healthy, but I worry we will fall into the same trap as my parents.
I understand where my mom was coming from, because I also prefer “working out” to the less-effective-for-me-but-probably-more-fun-for-kids method of just doing active things outside. Or, God forbid, actual sports *shudder*
Any tips on setting a good example, especially if you’re the only one?