TV, junk food breed obesity
Deepa Suryanarayan
The right age to start weight training is between 12 and 14
MUMBAI: If you thought obesity was a problem in the US alone, think again. “Children, as young as three to four years old, have started showing early symptoms of obesity, in India as well,” says Dr Meena Mehta, nutritionist, Matunga SNDT College. “Basic food habits and lifestyle pattern of the parents determine the growth and the health status of the child. If the child has fast food on a regular basis, by the time they are six, their size starts increasing. Such children, generally, are obese by the time they reach adolescence,” said Dr Mehta.
The obvious solution to this problem, of course, is physical activity, points out Dr Mehta. But going to the gym at a very young age might not be a good idea, she warns. “The right age to start going to the gym would be in the adolescent years. Weight training, if not done correctly, might even affect the growth of the child,” she explains.
Junk food and television are two of the biggest reasons that bring children as young as just 10 years old to the gym, admit fitness experts. “Though we have children who come to us from the age of 10 onwards, the right age to start weight training is between 12 and 14 years,” says Tushar Kerkar, manager, Talwalkars, Santa Cruz. Talwalkar’s offers a summer package at a discounted rate exclusively for children. About 30 per cent of enrollment is in the 12-14 age group, says Kerkar.
Children are not aware of the difference between what’s healthy and what’s not. “That’s why we also try to enroll parents along with the children. The remedy, good food, starts from the kitchen. So parents are taught the importance of healthy cooking,” says Kerkar.
“Over 14 years of age is the right time to start exercising,” agrees Jitendra Palekar, fitness instructor, Gold’s Gym. “At that age, children are primarily interested in gaining height. So we give them stretching exercises,” he adds.
Palekar offers a combination of cardio-workouts, stretching and some weight training (twice a week) to children. “Weight training should not be intensive, where children are concerned. Too much of weight training might injure their muscles and bones and hamper growth,” he says.
Tips for parents
Change your lifestyle, offer only healthy food at home
Encourage the child to participate in sports and other physical activities in school
Establish a regular schedule for playing outdoors
Try to involve exercises in daily activities — like taking the stairs in stead of the elevator
At the gym — a combination of cardio, stretching and a little bit of weight training helps
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