In today’s sedentary world, obesity is on the rise. People from all walks of life, who have kids are starting to pay attention to the increasing waistlines of today’s children. Many of us see the rampant obesity in today’s children as an epidemic.

The modern human is still only a hunter gatherer that exists in a world without hunting or gathering. Moreover, the food that we have eaten for millions of years is gone. It has been replaced with artificial, processed food that has been created in a lab. It was only 100 years ago that we were killing and dressing all of the meat that we ate. Now, our meat has been mass produced on factory farms that pump the meat full of hormones, antibiotics and genetically modified feed. Should we be surprised that our bodies are having a difficult time with processing this stuff? Moreover, should we be shocked that our children are overweight and unhealthy? I don’t think so. Moreover, I don’t believe that parents who love their children should throw in the towel.

Many of us sacrifice so that our children have access to the best schools, the nicest clothes, technology, education and health care. However, it is more important now than ever that children have access to fitness and physical development. Whether that physical development comes from going to the gym with dad or participating in a karate class with friends, it is important that kids develop a physical sense of self.

Giving your child the gift of physical activity is one of the greatest things a parent can do. Many of us want our children to be educated, smart and successful but, all of that is meaningless if they look in the mirror and are disgusted by what they see due to horrible health. When you are unhealthy and overweight, your pants don’t fit, your belly hangs out, it becomes difficult to tie your shoes, etc. These are not the problems that a 12 year old should have, but in the world that we live in, these problems are a reality for a growing number of children.

Today, taking your kid to the gym or making them put on a pair of boxing gloves to train is considered by many people to be a form of abuse. But, when I was a kid, it was called love. Show your kid how much you love them by supporting their physical fitness in the best way possible.

Until next time …