Help Your Child Avoid Obesity

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Combating childhood obesity is an increasingly significant concern. Because excessive portions, unhealthy food choices and a lack of exercise are all too common in our society, this is often an uphill battle.

Parental involvement is key to preventing childhood obesity, but if you're a person living with a disability the standard advice on how to get involved in your child's health and fitness routine may not really be applicable to you. That said, there are still plenty of ways for you to make sure that childhood obesity isn't a problem for your child.

Steps for Combating Childhood Obesity
Find activities you can do together. There is a range of adaptive exercises that can be fun for the two of you. These include swimming, bicycling (a hand bike or recumbent might be more appropriate for your needs) or even the adaptive version of a sport that interests the both of you - you might not be able to attend classes or practices together, but they might well be scheduled conveniently. For that matter, check out your local community recreation center. There may be a physical activity well suited to your needs scheduled at the same time as one that interests your child.

Non-sport hobbies. Finding the right physical activity to help your child combat obesity might not require you to be able to participate in that activity the same way. If your child is interested in dance, perhaps you can find an opportunity where you can be involved in the music, costuming or other aspect of the activity, allowing you to participate together without having to have identical interests or abilities. Also recognize that exercise for your child doesn't have to involve sports - being involved in theater or community service are two non-sports hobbies that can be very physically active.