4 STEPS TO PREVENT CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Obese children unfortunately become obese adults. And obesity leads to a variety of heart ailments blood pressure, diabetes and many other diseases. Inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle coupled with bad eating habits give rise to obesity. Many school going children today are becoming fatter by the day. These spend more time playing video games with very little or no outside games or view too much TV and of course consume more than necessary for their age and that too, junk food.
As parents it is our duty to monitor the steps that need to be taken for prevention of obesity in our children.

Abolish Soft Drinks
The biggest step of all! Most children love carbonated soft drinks. But it has no nutritional value, just empty calories. But if your child is already into having soft drinks with every meal, it is going to be very difficult to give up.
Elimination of these drinks from your child’s diet may be a difficult process, depending upon age and the amount of consumption. If the child is at an age where he or she does not yet make a choice in what is consumed, then the process is easy. This is where you simply stop giving these drinks to the child, replacing them with more healthy alternatives. Where children are old enough to help themselves, it is important to ensure that no soft drinks are available. Stock your refrigerator with low-fat milk, water, or fruit juices made from real fruit.
Remember, children learn by example. Be a role model for your child by opting for healthier drinks like fruit juices, low fat milk, buttermilk,etc. at home or when ordering in a restaurant.
What we are essentially doing here is just altering the thought processes in choosing healthier alternatives. This step is important in achieving and maintaining weight.

Restrict Fast Food
For children who are already showing signs of obesity, it is best to completely eliminate things such as hamburgers, fried chicken, chips, milkshakes and other fattening products from fast food restaurants. However, if this has been part of the child’s routine, it may be difficult. Although scientific literature gives no specific recommendations, it is believed among nutritional experts that fast food is acceptable on a once per week basis.
It is not necessary to totally eliminate takeaway food from the diet but rather to help the child to make healthier choices. Many fast food restaurants are now listening to public opinion and providing a healthier range of food rather than just the traditional range that they are renowned for.
To totally eliminate fast food would be unrealistic as there is also a social connection, particularly in the older children. Often this is a meeting place for friends and it would be hard for the child to resist temptation. It is crucial therefore, that parents ensure their child understands how the traditional fast foods contribute to obesity.

Limit Television Viewing
It would be unrealistic to think of eliminating television from your child’s life not to mention deprivation. There are many programs on television these days that are beneficial to your child’s development. However, it is important to limit television viewing as well as other technology such as DVDs and internet.
Researchers advocate no television at all for children under two and no more than two hours per day for children over two. This also applies to other media technology though internet surfing for homework purposes could be exempt. Remember also that if your child is spending a lot of time on the internet, it is important to have internet security software for their protection.
Another way of restricting television viewing is to only have a television in the family room rather than allowing your child to have one in the bedroom.
Dinner time is for enjoying the meal and also for enjoying the company and closeness of family. Turn the television off to promote conversation.

Promote Physical Activity
Normally children love outdoor play of any kind. But, some children do not want to engage in any games for a variety of reasons. Parents should encourage such children by taking them for short walks and later enrolling them to be coached in an outdoor game of their choice. Once they make friends with like minded peers, they will learn not just the game, but will improve academically, and learn team play, fairness, and will never become obese. The key here is everything is done in a fun atmosphere and children will look forward to their playtime.
It is therefore in everybody’s interests for measures such as the abolition of soft drinks and fatty fried foods, sweets and chips and any other obesity producing foods to be banned from school tuck shops and in other areas where children frequently purchase foods. Advocating for our children’s health and for the future of this generation is of the utmost importance.

KNOW YOUR MILK

Some children love drinking milk. certain others have to be forced to drink. Still others are allergic to milk. Now, we all have been told time and again that drinking milk is beneficial to the children, the aged, the pregnant and nursing mothers , the sick and the healthy. In other words, everybody needs mild to keep in good health. Vegetarian or non vegetarian, milk is consumed in some form or other by everyone. So, what is the nutritive value of milk?
The National Institute Of Nutrition has recommended a minimum of 300 gms of milk for children 1-3 years of age, 250 gms for 10-12 years children if they are vegetarian,
and 250 gms and 200 gms for the same age groups of non vegetarian children.
Milk is an ideal food since it is easily digestible, even by little children. It is highly nutritive since it contains proteins, minerals like calcium and phosphorus, vitamins such as vitamin A and D which are essential for growth and development. In addition it also contains lactose for energy.For more detailed information, http://www.kmfnandini.coop/html/knowyourmilk.htm
Pasteurization done with care does not remove the nutrients from milk.

AN EGG A DAY

Children love to eat eggs cooked in different forms. Are they nutritious enough for our children? As children my brother and I had to have a half boiled egg and a glass of milk everyday.
Let us consider the nutritive aspect of eggs since they are easily available,can be stored and can be given to children according to their liking. Some prefer omelette's, others full boiled eggs, still others have to be forced to have as an eggnog (chocolate flavoured). All love cakes,and scrambled eggs.
Eggs are nature's most perfectly balanced food .They contain protein, all vitamins except vitamin C, and minerals. Eggs have a high nutrient density because they provide significant amounts of vitamins and minerals yet contain only 71 calories.
Eggs are considered a complete protein because they contain all nine essential amino acids, or the building blocks of protein.Our bodies cannot produce these amino acids which are necessary for growth and development.Only food sources can provide us with high quality protein.The white of an egg has more protein than the yolk.Protein quality is expressed as biological value, which measures the rate of efficiency that protein is used for growth. At 93.7%, eggs score higher than any other food.
A large egg contains only a moderate amount of fat, with about 5 grams in only the egg yolk, (1.5 grams saturated), 213 mg of cholesterol and 75 calories. Eggs can easily fit into your daily fat limit.
The white contains more than half the egg's total protein, niacin, riboflavin, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and sulfur and all the egg's zinc.
The yolk contains all of the fat in the egg and a little less than half of the protein. It also contains the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E. Egg yolks are one of the few foods naturally containing vitamin D. The yolk also provides vitamin B 12 and folic acid, and the minerals iron, calcium, copper and phosphorus.

The National Egg Coordination Committee http://www.e2necc.com/egg-index.html#
is making children and adults aware of the benefits of consuming eggs. Recipes using eggs can be found at http://www.e2necc.com/egg-recipies.html
Eggs are recommended by the National Institute of Nutrition as an important part of a nutritionally balanced diet.

So, make sure your growing child gets his share of eggs everyday in some form or other.

BELIEVE IN YOUR CHILD'S POTENTIAL

Every child is unique!
There can be many reasons why a child does not perform well in academics. Whatever the reason, parents hunt for a tutor. Many a time, parents expect tutors to perform miracles with their wards just before exams. Understandably, the parents have either no time to spare or the children do not listen to their parents. It is common to note that a student disagrees with his parent on a lesson or on the teaching methodology. For this reason, some schools recommend that a parent should refrain from teaching at home. But when the parents are summoned to the school for a report of the child, the parents panic when told that their child is not doing as well as his classmates. Some schools insist on the learning by play method and no exams upto 6th grade. Books are not sent home either and the parents are clueless about the child's performance. Some children get cold feet at the mere mention of exams when they suddenly have to write one in 7th grade. Some do not know how to manage their time in an exam and invariably leave out a section of the question paper. Some students are able to score well in the tests where few portions are given, but when a whole term's portion is given for the exam, they do not perform as well.
A tutor can certainly help his student with time management, better organisational skills, development of a positive attitude which reinforces the student's self confidence. Engaging the best tutor one can find, is only half the battle won. But what of the student? Does he really excel in academics after a new tutor begins?
In my experience as a tutor of many years, it is always seen that the attitude of the student is the biggest factor in determining his progress. "You can only take a horse to the water but cannot make it drink " is a common saying which is very apt in this case. Students who desired to do well, put in their best and eventually did extremely well with the help of tutors. But those that were not motivated enough, did as before or sometimes, even more badly. So, what attitudes should a learner have, or how can we help change attitudes?
The answer lies in the fact that the attitudes of the student is closely related to the parent's belief systems.The parents of those that did well did not give up on them. Encouraging words and unconditional love was like magic potion to them. Parents believed in their child's potential. Harsh words were never used to make them feel small. They were never reprimanded in front of their friends in comparison to their friend's children who performed very well. They were not belittled in front of a sibling who did better. All this can be damaging and the child will stop trying after some time. A tutor cannot perform magic if the parent keeps belittling the child."You can do it!" ,"Good!","Excellent!" is what a child wants to hear while learning. Bill Cosby, who brings out the best in children on his talk shows seconds that. I sincerely hope you encourage your child today and everyday. It will help build his confidence.

IS HIRING A GOOD PRIVATE TUTOR NECESSARY?

Learning Mathematics can be tough for some children, and for some, it is a scoring subject. Some even score a 100%. Understanding the basic concepts, and practice sure gives added confidence to any student. A good, patient teacher or parent can help.
Similarly, certain children require extra coaching in Physics,Chemistry,Languages or any other subject that the child needs to improve in.
There are several good sites on the net which will be useful, but to know which one is tailored for your child's grade and working pace,can be a daunting task.Most choose the easy way out-that of hiring a home tutor who can teach on a one to one basis at the child's learning pace.
Private tutors are expensive compared to the tutors who hold coaching classes. But the benefits are immense.

• Private tutors teach one to one, so 100% attention is given to this one student for the whole session.Sessions range between one hour to one and a half hour according to the child's need.
• Timings can be adjusted to suit both student and tutor.
• Tutor comes to your residence, so the child is saved the trouble of travelling again after school.
• The student is at ease to learn in a more conducive home environment.
• Tuition also allows the student to question and gain more knowledge.
• Teachings are more focused and good values and habits are also inculcated unconsciously.

FINDING A QUALITY HOME TUTOR

Having been a private tutor for several years now, my interactions with parents, grandparents, students, principals and teachers from a wide variety of schools has given me an insight into several aspects of home tutoring. In this post, I will discuss the qualities necessary in a good tutor for your child.

Most parents just want to find a tutor to be able to tell everyone that they have hired a private tutor.Some parents are too busy to even see if their children have done their homework.Still others feel the genuine need to engage a tutor for the child to pick up his grades in a particular subject/subjects. Some parents want the child to get a good foundation in understanding the basic concepts because in higher classes, competition gets stiff and they have to stay ahead. Whatever the need, quality tutors are hard to come by.

• A quality home tutor must be one that can establish rapport with the student. Being able to speak and connect in the same language makes all the difference. Once the tutor and student connect, effective communication and impartation of useful knowledge occurs.The tutor will be more effective when he knows when to draw the line, especially with a particularly playful or talkative student.
• A tutor should also be an excellent motivator. Sometimes, the child is afraid of exams.He does well in his weekly/monthly tests but he panics at the mere mention of exam. Encouraging him and showing him how to improve his scores, will greatly help.
• Watching his friends perform well sometimes can act as motivation but in some students, it brings in tremendous pressure and he begins to give up on himself. He might just switch his mind off in the classroom or the tuition session. It is here the tutor also becomes a strong motivating force. He has to help maintain a positive healthy mindset which is crucial for achild's performance in school.
• Healthy habits and great values of life are unconsciously imbibed by the student.Therefore, the tutor must be able to do this.
• Teaching should be his passion, and should be able to guide each student according to his area of difficulty.
• He should speak regularly to the parents regarding the child's progress and get regular feedback from the school as well. With this, the tutor can be certain of his teaching style and pace.

It is not whether the tutor is a regular teacher in a school or that he is a Ph d , it is the way in which he makes the child interested in the subject and has the desire to help him in improving his grades. This is the quality factor in a tutor.

SHOULD MOBILES BE ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM?

Ask any body in any educational institution today, whether mobile phones should be allowed on campus? Except for the Principal, and the management, what you get is a resounding "YES".
Why is this so?
Let us study the pro's and con's of carrying a mobile to class!

College students see it more as a status symbol, since they always want to be seen with the latest mobile phone.Sending SMS's is a favourite past-time, particularly in class or after midnight when SMS's are free. The favourite Bollywood movie, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, showed the hero, a medical student, copying during an exam using the hands-free. A couple of students got debarred from the exam trying to do the same.

School students have been caught listening to music, FM radio, and sending SMS's while the class was in progress. Though their cell phone will be switched to silent mode, the distraction persists. Their attention is always diverted waiting for a call. When teachers insist that cell phones should not ring in the classroom, they should also refrain from taking any call while teaching.

Most students argue that their parents have provided them with a mobile just to keep a check on their whereabouts.Obviously, the child is not being taught to be truthful, even with the cell he is going to be telling lies about his whereabouts. Some parents argue that we are living in a modern age and they would like to give the best of everything for their child. It becomes imperative, they say, that they have to coordinate between driver, tuitions, extra curricular activities and the like. That means parents must make the effort to create a timetable for the activities of the child and stick by it. When unforeseen circumstances arise, schools and colleges have landlines which the parent or the student can use. It will reinforce time management and organisational skills for all concerned.

Last week, cell phones have been completely banned from classrooms of kindergarten thro' 12. Even the staff is not allowed to carry them on campus. Surprise checks will be conducted regularly and defaulters will be punished, which may include a fine and confiscation of the cell phone.

This puts an end to all the debates going on in corridors of educational institutions.

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BOOKS VS TECHNOLOGY

Inculcating good reading habits is always on the agenda of every educationist. During the holidays, it was always the grandparent or parent that insisted on either reading to them, or making them read or telling them stories with a moral. Amar Chitra Katha comics were a great source of inspiration to many. Mythological tales, Jataka tales, Aesop's fables, historical and moral stories from Panchatantra tales were many a child's favourite.

Children of today are most certainly different in every way. They prefer to spend all their free time playing outdoors, playing video games, chatting on the internet, or simply surfing the net. they love listening to music on the ipod. Gadgets are a way of life to these young ones. They insist they cannot survive without them! Is that true? Did we not get good grades in school when we had only a radio and no television?

An interest in reading good books should be inculcated in every child. In this age of videos, DVD's, and VCD's, it can be difficult but nonetheless worthwhile. It helps them to think creatively, aids in developing memory, imagination, empathy, etc. Educationists always vouch for audiovisual aids when it comes to teaching, but the joy of reading and understanding gives greater confidence to a child in the language he is reading. He learns new vocabulary, uses the Dictionary when necessary and is capable of speaking fluently, and can write any piece of creative writing without much assistance. In fact, he begins to revel in the fact that he can do it well. It was heart rending to note that a school in Pune had adopted he practice of reading Amar Chitra Katha comics in History class and then engaging in role play of the story that was just read. History coming alive in the classroom gives every child the chance to remember all the historical dates, names, wars, etc in the exact order as well. Hats off to the teacher who tried this as an experiment and was successful to the point of being emulated by several others across the country.

In India, every school-going child learns to master at least two languages besides English. Most urban school children speak impeccable English .They know that the gateway to a bright future lies in being able to write and speak excellent English.
Learning the English language also prepares them for a global career.

The ongoing Bangalore Book Festival is drawing lots of parents with their school and college going children to find great books for fun and learning.This is certainly testimony to the fact that parents still want their children to make reading a habit.
In this Silicon Valley of the east, children are being nurtured to be the next generation entrepreneurs, software and hardware professionals, industrialists,etc.
Yester years saw only two ambitions among children-either a doctor,or an engineer.
Today, the spectrum is wide-pilot,lawyer,astronaut,vet,dietitian,finance experts, consultant(in various fields), management gurus,restauranteurs,etc. And they are succeeding in their chosen field in various parts of the globe. Our system of education is excellent, indeed.

HOW FAR SHOULD MY CHILD SIT IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER?

Computers are an ideal tool for learning through play. Every school insists on computer classes from a very young age. Rhymes and music are played, drawing and painting is encouraged on the computer. Even stories are told using flashcards generated on the computer screen.
A little older child is encouraged to play computer games. At school, the 4th grade upwards are being taught programming languages as well. PowerPoint presentations are common among 5th graders and above. 6th graders are taught to create their own websites as well.
As to the use of internet, all school projects are done carefully after sourcing information from the net. Reference books from the library have taken a back seat . Almost every school going child from 5th upwards has an email-id. They love using computer jargon, especially if their parents do not know, and parents enjoy that.
But, very few educationists lay down guidelines for the child with respect to ergonomics. They are only satisfied in blocking social networking sites and email agents while children surf online in the computer class.
And at home, parents are more eager in providing a computer with internet connection for their wards without verifying the lighting and seating aspects while the child is at the computer.

Essential guidelines to follow

• Computer workstation meant for an adult is not suitable for a child. They may have to look up at a different angle than the parent.
• Investing in a good chair which can be adjusted according to the child's height is recommended.
• The recommended distance between the monitor and the eye for children is between 18 and 28 inches.
• Parents should check for sources of glare by sitting in front of the computer.Windows or other light sources should not be directly visible while at the computer.
• American Optometric Association recommends that children take short breaks of at least 20-seconds for every 20 minutes of computer time.

The Association warns that many children may be developing Computer Vision Syndrome due to prolonged computer use. In addition to vision problems as with the adult, a child spending too much time in front of the computer screen can develop eye discomfort, blurred vision, fatigue and headaches.

SUNITA WILLIAMS

"STARS IN HER EYES", an interview with the American-Indian Astronaut on the CNNIBN news channel this morning,caught my attention since all the questions regarding Sunita and her space odyssey was answered .School children were the audience as eminent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai asked her a few questions while the majority of the questions came from the children seated there and those from across India.
Having been the first to run a marathon in space,done spacewalks, and lived in the ISS(international Space Station) for six months, she recounted the beauty of the earth and said there are no markings between countries-they are only on paper. Asked as to who she would choose to take up with her into space, given the chance, she said that she would like to take with her someone who has a lot of animosity, simply because once you see the earth moving with so much peace and tranquility, you cannot but help becoming serene yourself.
Sunita best wants to be remembered as a role model for children .And yes,she loves samosas.She had a feeling of home whenever she ate them in space.

TELEVISION AND YOUR CHILD

Every child clearly loves television.Sometimes, when left alone, they tend to go on for hours,with a high volume.

Certain guidelines need to be adhered to, so as to regulate quality viewing.This can be both fun and rewarding if limited.

• Spend quality time talking to your children.Have fun playing engaging board games. Allow them to ask questions and answer them patiently. Make an effort to know their friends, their teachers at school and what interests them in school and in the field. Above all, let them know you love them, by listening to them.Never reprimand them for delaying you by talking incessantly. Discuss a favourite tv show or a character they particularly like.
• Emphasize other activities. Encourage hobbies like reading, painting or drawing.Creative outlets like these do not stifle like television does.
• Children watch and emulate parent's example.So, switch off the telly, and do not make it the focus of your existence in the living room.
• Do not let the kids have a television in their bedrooms.
• Use television responsibly. Direct children to view historical ,educational or themes that entertain according to their age.
• Never allow homework to be done in front of the tv.
• Switch off the telly during mealtimes and enjoy the food and your family.
  

SUGGESTED READING - HOW DOES TELEVISION AFFECT MY CHILD?

HOW DOES TV AFFECT MY CHILD?

Today's children are adept at handling the remote. On an average a school going child spends between three and four hours a day before the idiot box. On holidays and weekends, it is much more.
Have a part to play in this? Most parents allow the children to watch cartoons or movies, just so they can be free, or will be at work. Channel surfing is a favourite past-time for some. There is usually a fight for the remote among siblings.

What do the health care professionals have to say about Television viewing?
They vehemently suggest to never allow a child that is below two years to see tv.
And to limit those children above two years to a maximum of two hours per day.
The first two years is a critical time for brain development, hence no screen -time be allowed.They have to develop their skills by exploring, learning , talking and playing with parents and others.

Children going to school, can watch channels such as Discovery and National Geographic which are very educational outside of the school textbooks. Imagination runs wild and they learn so much more. Entertaining shows, such as magic show, or a few cartoons could be viewed. Ultimately , parental discretion is advised. No doubt, television can be a source of entertainment and education.

Too much television has its disadvantages.

• Reclining on the couch for hours on end, gives a bad posture especially for a growing child.
• Snacking constantly on popcorn, or a bag of potato chips, leads to obesity at an early age, which gives rise to health complications rather early in life.
• Those that see violence too often may try to emulate them, putting themselves and others at risk, particularly their siblings.Younger children viewing violent events, can get scared that something bad will befall them such as a kidnapping, accidents, or seeing ghosts in the dark.
• Poor concentration , limited critical thinking skills, are also associated with this excessive viewing which will definitely affect their school grades.
• Turning up the volume while viewing affects the hearing, while watching a program too close to the screen, affects the vision.
• Bad habits, such as smoking, drinking are usually picked up a lot faster from the telly, because a favorite character or hero is to be emulated. Bad words are also picked up in due course and used on the sly, and later on more openly.
• Advertisements are usually meant to entice children to buy food products or getting them into coercing parents to buy things.
  

Recommended reading, TELEVISION AND YOUR CHILD

HOW TO BE A ROLE MODEL FOR YOUR KIDS

It's tough being a good parent especially when your child is moving into adolescence and is rearing to assert his/her independence. The pressures of modern life, expectations of success from an early age, peer pressure coupled with working parents who can spare little time for him/her make it difficult for an adolescent to seek advice and guidance. Parents are often torn between their own expectations of success from their children and the desire to protect them from a tough world.

Be a role model. Children are extremely sensitive. They are also intelligent enough to see through pretense. It's important for parents to practice what they preach and not breach the code of ethics and values which they are imparting to their children.

Try and spend quality time with your children. Even if it is not too long it's important that it counts and your children feel that you are there for them. Sharing at least one meal a day or praying together are good ways to feel togetherness as a family.

Reserve time for communication. Your children should be encouraged to talk openly about how they feel and on things affecting them. Also be alert to non-verbal cues which will often tell you more than what the child is saying.

In issue which the child feels very strongly about he/she, should be allowed to make his/her own decision. You must make your own position on the subject very clear and try and explain the consequences of the decision the child wants to make. As far as possible allow the child to come to his own conclusion and act accordingly.

Sensitive topics like sex should not be a taboo. In today's age, it is imperative that you talk to your children about sex-related diseases. Parents need to encourage a healthy openness about physical intimacy and opposite gender friendships.

Do not allow your children to be witness to your differences with your spouse. It can be traumatic for a child to see any strife between parents.
(Source-The Times Of India Bangalore)

DO YOU ENJOY SPORTS?

It was a great pleasure to watch the World T20 Cup Final at Johannesburg on Tuesday. The new captain, Dhoni and his young team did an excellent job of lifting the trophy.The economic center of India, the city that never stops working ,virtually stopped, just to give the Daredevils, a rousing welcome when they landed in Mumbai two days later. My daughter and myself got a glimpse of Sreesanth who caught the final ball, being felicitated by his former school, Florence Public School at RT Nagar on Saturday just before the match against Australia.

In India, almost every one is a cricket fan. Betting takes place, people take sides, especially when the final is a Pakistan vs India match. Cricket fever is particularly contagious whether you are traveling, working (most try to get access to a tv), at school or college. Those diligently working will make mobile calls to know the latest score and who is batting and who is bowling.

Most children love to play or watch others play.Parents must encourage their children to take up some form of game which they enjoy.Schools and colleges must make it compulsory for every child to play a game of their choice.

Playing games enhances the all-round development of your child enabling him to express himself better on and off the field. He learns to play fairly and in teams, if team games are being played. If the child's interest is in playing individual games, he learns to take good decisions. In either case, he or she learns to enjoy games immensely.

Improving hand-eye coordination, motor skills, physical agility,
mental sharpness, are some of the benefits you enjoy while engaged in a good game with friends. Studies show that a child who engages in some form of music,sport, painting,dramatics, improves his grades in school.

This morning I met a renowned cardiologist , who tells me that a child or adult should engage in some form of physical activity. Fitness is very important from a young age. Obesity has become rampant in many children today. Even teenagers in colleges are suffering from this malady. Too much time in front of the idiot-box,
eating little or no breakfast, practically no exercise, eating junk food outside colleges or in the canteens at no proper intervals all account for this problem.

Playing games right after lunch is not recommended simply because all the blood rushes to aid in digestion of the food eaten and energy is not readily available for any form of activity. At least a half hour gap should be given before swimming or any form of vigorous exercise.