alexis

I never had this issue growing up myself. Both my parents were slanky, my sons father and myself are both slanky and tall, and I am still slanky. I have a high metabolism but I still worry about my kids (just in case). I was reading a ton of google links and found this one, wanted to share it.

Site

rockthecradle

We could blame a lot of that on the rise in numerous TV channels, the home pc and gaming systems over the last decade or so, I think. There's no reason for kids to go out and play anymore when they have so many cool electronics indoors to keep them occupied. When I was a kid there was a TV in my room and that was it, but we used to be out playing in the summertime from early morning until it started to get dark. Of course, most parents prefer rightly to know exactly where the kids are too at all times now as predators appear to be everywhere nowadays.

It's not just kids either, adults are affected by the same rise in technology. I've never been so physically inactive since I got a computer in my life but then that's my own fault. I should be building in time to at least go for a walk occasionally and get some fresh air. It's easy to pile on the pounds when all the walking you do is from the keyboard to the refrigerator.

Gramma

Children already have high metabolisms. If parents kicked them out of the house like they used to, kids would be as active as they used to be. Anymore though, it's not safe to kick your kid out of the house with the order to "go play". You might never see them again, or when you find them they've been violated and hurt and left for dead. So we're depending more and more on those gadgets to keep them occupied indoors.

hummingbird42256

You right about that. Both my daughters are over weight,16 and 12. My 12 year old weighs more than me.She sits inside for the house watching tv and sitting in front of the pc.She says there is nothing to do outside.Me and my 2 sisters were small growing up but we did not get the fast food and we were outside more than inside.Times have changed.Wish I could find something to get my girls moving outside. My 16 year old has a horse and does PE at school so that helps her.

stuffabunny

Nothing melts off pounds like shoveling horse manure, lol. There's a book called Fit For Riding you might to look into. Its exercises meant to help your riding and she should like that.

The digital leash is devastating these days but there are plenty of after school activities such as sports kids can get into that are safe and healthy. It just takes finding a way to get them involved.

misty

I was very fat as a fit so I begin to put on weight, so I am very self concious and aware of what I eat at all times.

Sierra

One thing that has helped my kids to stay fit is DDR. (Dance, Dance, Revolution) It is a video game which gets the kids up off their behinds and dancing. I can tell you from personal experience that it is very fun and hard to stop when you get going. My kids are not overweight, but some of their friends have lost a lot of baby fat playing DDR.

Mybaby

My nephew is always playing video games so he become fatter and fatter as he grows old. I guess this is one of the consequences of new technology. We should encourage them to play with their friends outdoors. This is a good form of exercise.