Lifestyle » Connect with Kids

Summer Weight Gain
July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT


In the last few years schools have been under pressure to provide healthy, non-fat meals and more physical exercise programs into their daily schedule. However, a new study from Ohio State University suggests that one part of the childhood obesity problem in America has nothing to do with school. In fact, researchers found that children gain twice as much weight over the summer than they do while in school.
Experts say the study highlights the importance of parents. Dr. Lonny Horowitz, a bariatric specialist, says "a parent is the biggest role model a child can have. They have the time with their children, they have the most influence over their kids. And if they set the role of going out and doing exercise with their kids, their kids are going to want to emulate them." Dr. Horowitz says that during the summer, when it's hot outside, it's easy to fall into a routine of junk food and marathon t.v. watching. But, making a change doesn't have to be difficult. "Just take a walk, just grab the kids and take and walk. I mean, if you have a preference to ride a bike, that's fine. But I would start off with something that's the least challenging to your system, that's the least likely to injure anyone. Just take a walk with the kids for a half hour at night," suggests Dr. Horowitz. Kids also admit that they would not work out as often or eat very healthy if parents weren't there helping.

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