Diet & Fitness 

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Beating child couch potato syndrome

So your children spent the holidays on the settee, watching telly and eating sweets. That's all fine and well, but how do you break their sedentary habits before they become permanent? Malia Frame and Sara Singer Schiff investigate

It’s sad but true. British children are among the most overweight kids in the world (almost one third are overweight or obese). In fact, the UK ranks second only to the US in its total number of obese children and adults. An increase in the consumption of fast food, the inactive nature of a generation of computer-gamers and the growing fear of parents to let their children play outside, are all factors that have seen the number of obese young people rise steadily over the past 15 years.

If your child suffers from couch potato syndrome, there are steps you can take. If he or she needs to lose weight, the first step is to ensure he or she follows a balanced diet. Consult a qualified nutritionist if you need guidance. The second is regular exercise. Games may still include a bat and a ball, but the range of children’s leisure activities has increased dramatically. There are now several gyms and fitness organisations that run programmes specifically for kids. In the mind/body arena, yoga studios like Triyoga (020 7483 3344) offer child and teen yoga classes for ages 5-8 and 9-11 years respectively. These classes (at £5 per session) promote strength, flexibility and coordination in a relaxed, non-competitive environment – a rarity for most kids.

The Next Generation clubs throughout England and Scotland are pioneering the gym-friendly initiative for kids under 17. The clubs offer kid-sized cardiovascular and weight training machines, and all children’s training takes place under the supervision of a qualified instructor. In addition, these purpose-built facilities include mini-basketball and mini-tennis courts, a swimming pool and indoor and outdoor play areas. Kids must be accompanied by an adult member, log onto www.nextgenerationclubs.co.uk for more information.

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