ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Does Home Exercise Equipment Benefit Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/29/exercise-equipment-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/29/exercise-equipment-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/29/exercise-equipment-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Dear Reggie,
I am having trouble finding enough time to get my 3 kids to activities during the week. They are between the ages of five and 12. They play team sports on both days of most weekends. A friend suggested that I buy exercise equipment designed for kids and make a home gym. I have some space in the basement that can accommodate a home gym. With their sports on weekends, are they getting enough exercise to stay healthy and fit? If not, what do you think about kids home fitness equipment?
Thanks,
Mr. Backster

Hi Mr. Backster,
Kids need an average of 60 minutes daily of intense activity. If your kids are fairly active, it's safe to assume they run around for 30-45 minutes a day at school, when you combine morning and afternoon recess with their lunch break.

Continue reading Does Home Exercise Equipment Benefit Kids

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]]>home fitness equipment for kidshome fitness for kidsHomeFitnessEquipmentForKidsHomeFitnessForKidskids and exerciseKidsAndExerciseReggie ReyesThu, 29 Apr 2010 09:00:00 ESTWeight Loss: Is the Fat Burning Zone Effective?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/23/fat-burn-zone-weight-loss/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/23/fat-burn-zone-weight-loss/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/23/fat-burn-zone-weight-loss/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


A father of a 15-year-old girl asked me to meet his daughter so I could discuss her weight-loss training program and make any necessary adjustments. He was an avid gym-goer and had put his daughter on a regimented cardiovascular training program for three months. Her program included five to six days a week of treadmill running, stationary bike or the elliptical machine for 30 minutes a day. She initially lost five pounds, over the first month, but has gone up and down for the last two months. He believed that cardiovascular training was the best for weight loss and heard that training in the fat burning zone was the fastest way to lose weight.

Continue reading Weight Loss: Is the Fat Burning Zone Effective?

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]]>fat burning zoneFatBurningZoneweight loss programweight-lossWeightLossProgramReggie ReyesFri, 23 Apr 2010 06:00:00 ESTObese Parents Can Keep Kids Healthyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/19/preventing-obesity-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/19/preventing-obesity-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/19/preventing-obesity-kids/#comments
Dear Reggie,
I am a 30 year old mother of a 4- year-old-boy and 6-year-old-girl. I am overweight and approaching the obesity limit based on my body mass index (BMI). My husband is a little overweight and carries some extra weight in his midsection. My parents are both overweight and my husband's family tends to be on the heavy side. Both kids carry a bit of a belly, but seem to be okay, so far. Are my kids doomed when it comes to their health based on their family history?

Thanks,
Mrs. Finley

Hello Mrs. Finley,
I would not worry about your kids having a bit of a belly at this age. If they were overweight all over, unable to play games at the playground or constantly lethargic, I would be concerned. As long as you ensure they stay active and instill in them healthy eating behaviours, they should be fine.

Continue reading Obese Parents Can Keep Kids Healthy

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]]>childhood obesityChildhoodObesityexercise and obesityExerciseAndObesityoverweight parentsOverweightParentsReggie ReyesMon, 19 Apr 2010 11:00:00 ESTAgility Ladders to Improve Your Child's Footworkhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/12/agility-ladders-to-improve-your-childs-footwork/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/12/agility-ladders-to-improve-your-childs-footwork/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/12/agility-ladders-to-improve-your-childs-footwork/#commentsFiled under:

A mother of a 12-year-old boy approached me about helping her son improve his footwork in basketball. Overall, the boy does fairly well in all sports, but she felt his game would be better if he could move his feet faster.

The 12-Year-Old Boy (let's call him Paul)

At first glance, Paul was a little on the chubby side. His feet were big for his height and when asked to shuffle side-side he almost tripped himself.

Continue reading Agility Ladders to Improve Your Child's Footwork

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]]>agility trainingAgilityTrainingcoordinationkids exerciseKidsExerciseReggie ReyesMon, 12 Apr 2010 09:00:00 ESTHigher Obesity Risk for Children Watched by Grandparentshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/09/risk-for-obesity-higher-in-children-under-grandparents-care/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/09/risk-for-obesity-higher-in-children-under-grandparents-care/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/09/risk-for-obesity-higher-in-children-under-grandparents-care/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As busy working parents with two young children, my wife and I have often considered leaving our kids with their grandparents instead of daycare. When they were really young, it seemed like the rational choice. Our kids would be supervised by loving family members, we would save a lot of money and the time restrictions of daycare would no longer apply.

Continue reading Higher Obesity Risk for Children Watched by Grandparents

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]]>daycaredaycare providersDaycareProvidersgrandparentsobesity in kidsObesityInKidsoverweightoverweight kidsOverweightKidsReggie ReyesFri, 09 Apr 2010 10:00:00 ESTCan't Get Your Kid to Lose Weight? Try Swimminghttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/08/cant-get-your-kid-to-lose-weight-try-swimming/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/08/cant-get-your-kid-to-lose-weight-try-swimming/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/08/cant-get-your-kid-to-lose-weight-try-swimming/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dear Reggie,
My 13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter are both overweight. Their doctor recommended I put them on an exercise routine and get them involved in sports. After showing them some exercises to do at home and trying to get them to play and walk more often, their weight does not seem to be going down. I signed them up in the after school sports camp where they play soccer, floor hockey and basketball. They both come home complaining that their joints hurt after playing these sports. Are they lying to me because they're not interested? Do you have any suggestions that can help my situation?
Thanks,
Mrs. Verroni

Hello Mrs. Verroni,
Your valiant efforts to help your kids must be commended. As I mention to all parents whose kids are overweight; aside from ensuring they are eating healthy foods in appropriate portions, you have to find a way to get your kids moving on a daily basis.

Continue reading Can't Get Your Kid to Lose Weight? Try Swimming

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]]>jointjointskids fitnessKidsFitnessoverweight kidsOverweightKidsswimmingReggie ReyesThu, 08 Apr 2010 09:00:00 ESTSkinny Kids Should Exercise to Create Strong Boneshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/05/skinny-kids-should-exercise-to-create-strong-bones/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/05/skinny-kids-should-exercise-to-create-strong-bones/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/05/skinny-kids-should-exercise-to-create-strong-bones/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dear Reggie, I have a 13-year-old daughter who is occasionally active. Several days a week she plays at recess and lunch time with her friends at school. Other days she enjoys sitting around and hanging out with her friends. Whenever she plays sports she seems a little weak. She does not have a weight problem. Rather, I suspect she is a little on the thin side. Most of the information I come across on kids' health focuses on obesity. Are there any health concerns for kids that are on the thin side?

Thanks,
Mrs. Plakas

Hello Mrs. Plakas,

You raise a very important issue with respect to your daughter's body type and health. In general, thinner kids who do not exercise are at a higher risk of developing bone weakness issues in their adult life. With respect to your daughter, a red flag would be raised only if she were to complain of joint pain after all activities. The fact that she is occasionally active and happily participates in sports is a good sign that she is healthy.

How exercise and weight-bearing activity builds strong bones, after the jump...


Continue reading Skinny Kids Should Exercise to Create Strong Bones

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]]>bone densityBoneDensitycalories burnedCaloriesBurnedexercise kidsExerciseKidskids and exercisekids healthKidsAndExerciseKidsHealthosteoporosisskinny kidsSkinnyKidsthin kidsThinKidsweight lossWeightLossReggie ReyesMon, 05 Apr 2010 10:35:00 ESTKids' Health Is All Talk, Not Enough Actionhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/02/kids-health-is-all-talk-not-enough-action/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/02/kids-health-is-all-talk-not-enough-action/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/04/02/kids-health-is-all-talk-not-enough-action/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It is frustrating to read or hear the latest reports on kids' health in North America, since it doesn't actually seem to change. When I look back to the research even 20 years ago, kids were becoming overweight and it was recommended they eat healthier and exercise more often. Over the years these reports have been spun in many different ways. We've varied between one in three, to one in four kids being overweight and one in four, to one in five being obese. Now the popular term is characterizing our kids as "morbidly obese." The reports have also morphed into classifying our kids as the first generation to not outlive their parents or the first generation of kids to develop health issues -- such as heart disease and diabetes -- previously linked to adults.

The Bottom Line

No matter how you spin it, the bottom line is that our kids are unhealthy, becoming unhealthier, need to exercise at a high intensity on a daily basis and need to adopt healthy eating behaviours. Let's stop spending money and allocating resources on researching and reporting how unhealthy our kids are and start focusing on how to fix the problem. Anything else is lip service and a waste of time.

So, what action is currently being taken to protect our kids? Find out, after the jump...

Continue reading Kids' Health Is All Talk, Not Enough Action

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]]>childhood obesityChildhoodObesityexercise and kidsExerciseAndKidskids healthKidsHealthMichelle ObamaMichelleObamaobesity epidemicObesityEpidemicReggie ReyesFri, 02 Apr 2010 15:30:00 ESTA Fitness Plan to Prepare Your Kids for Summer Sportshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/29/a-fitness-plan-to-prepare-your-kids-for-summer-sports/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/29/a-fitness-plan-to-prepare-your-kids-for-summer-sports/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/29/a-fitness-plan-to-prepare-your-kids-for-summer-sports/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Each week, personal trainer Reggie Reyes shares with us a child-related health and/or fitness concern that he's been approached with, and how he's helped clients to solve the problem.

Problem
Joanna came in with her 12-year-old son, who is an avid soccer player. His outdoor season starts some time in May, which was about two months away at the time. He did not play any winter sports and she noticed that he had put on a little weight around his mid-section. She was concerned that he was out of shape and that he might not be ready for the soccer season. Joanna wanted her son to follow a program over the following two months that would prepare him for the outdoor season.

About the Child (Let's call him Joel)
Joel had an athletic build. The only drawback to his physique was his belly. When I asked him about his stomach, he mentioned that he didn't exercise or play any sports during the winter months. He said he felt slow and weak, and lacked energy. He was looking for a program to get him back on track.

My 8-week training plan for Joel, after the jump...

Continue reading A Fitness Plan to Prepare Your Kids for Summer Sports

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]]>fitness trainingFitnessTrainingkids fitnesskids sportskids trainingKidsFitnessKidsSportsKidsTrainingpt4kidsreggie reyesReggieReyessports trainingSportsTrainingtraining for kidstraining program for kidsTrainingForKidsTrainingProgramForKidsReggie ReyesMon, 29 Mar 2010 17:30:00 ESTOnline Health and Fitness Resources for Parentshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/26/online-health-and-fitness-resources-for-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/26/online-health-and-fitness-resources-for-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/26/online-health-and-fitness-resources-for-parents/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Dear Reggie,
I have two kids in need of your help. According to our doctor, my 12-year-old daughter, Ashley, is a little overweight. I've recently noticed that she is self-conscious in certain situations at school. She often asks me questions about diet and exercise, so I know she's interested in making a change. The doctor also said that my 10-year-old son Bobby is a little overweight. He's not interested in sports and is oblivious to his weight issue. I am very busy, live too far from your location and I don't know where to start. Can you please help?
Thanks, Mrs. McCarthy

Hello Mrs. McCarthy,
I'm grateful that you're attacking this issue head-on. Unfortunately, many parents take the "wait-and-see" approach. Before you know it, their kids have become part of the childhood obesity epidemic plaguing our society...

Continue reading Online Health and Fitness Resources for Parents

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]]>childhood obesityChildhoodObesityfit kidsFitKidshome fitness for kidsHomeFitnessForKidskids healthKidsHealthonline fitness programsonline healthOnlineFitnessProgramsOnlineHealthreggie reyesReggieReyesthats fitThatsFitThatsFit.cawww.kidshealth.orgwww.ophea.netwww.truestarhealth.comReggie ReyesFri, 26 Mar 2010 17:30:00 ESTTired of Hockey? Try These Non-Traditional Sports for Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/24/tired-of-hockey-try-these-non-traditional-sports-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/24/tired-of-hockey-try-these-non-traditional-sports-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/24/tired-of-hockey-try-these-non-traditional-sports-for-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Getting our kids involved in sports and activities at an early age is an effective way to fight the childhood obesity epidemic plaguing our society. Besides building strong and healthy bones and muscles, kids also develop many life skills such as team building, cooperation, hard work and discipline.

When it comes to signing up our kids for sports and activities, it's only natural that parents typically gravitate towards exercise options that are most familiar to us. As Canadians, it seems the right of passage starts with learning to skate and progressing to ice hockey. Typical summer sports include soccer, baseball and basketball. With respect to individual sports, tennis, skiing, gymnastics and figure skating top the list.

Continue reading Tired of Hockey? Try These Non-Traditional Sports for Kids

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]]>kids sportsKidsSportsmartial artsMartialArtsracquet sportsRacquetSportssports for kidsSportsForKidsReggie ReyesWed, 24 Mar 2010 10:00:00 ESTCross-Training Tips for Kids Involved in Multiple Sportshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/22/cross-training-tips-for-kids-involved-in-multiple-sports/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/22/cross-training-tips-for-kids-involved-in-multiple-sports/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/22/cross-training-tips-for-kids-involved-in-multiple-sports/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Each week, personal trainer Reggie Reyes shares with us a child-related health and/or fitness concern that he's been approached with, and how he's helped clients to solve the problem.

Problem
Mr. Smith and his 15-year-old son came in looking for training advice. His son plays high-level ice hockey and competes in long-distance running. His hockey coach wants him to bulk up and put on weight while his running coach wants him to stay light and lean. As his competitive season's overlap, how can he effectively train for both sports?

About the Child (Let's call him Steve)
Steve had a slight build. He was tall and lean and definitely more (physically) suited for distance running. I could see why his hockey coach wanted him to put on weight. He seemed keen on putting on some muscle mass "as long as it didn't affect his running."

My thoughts and recommendations, after the jump...

Continue reading Cross-Training Tips for Kids Involved in Multiple Sports

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]]>cross trainingCrossTraininghealthy kidsHealthyKidskids exercisekids hockeykids sportsKidsExerciseKidsHockeyKidsSportssports and exerciseSportsAndExercisestrength trainingStrengthTrainingteen fitnessTeenFitnessReggie ReyesMon, 22 Mar 2010 14:00:00 ESTToo Busy For After-School Sports? Backyard Fitness Keeps Kids Healthyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/19/kids-exercise-backyard-fitness-is-ideal-for-busy-families/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/19/kids-exercise-backyard-fitness-is-ideal-for-busy-families/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/19/kids-exercise-backyard-fitness-is-ideal-for-busy-families/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dear Reggie,
We are busy working parents of three wonderful kids between the ages of five and nine. Our kids do not play on any sports teams outside of school. By the time we finish work, race through traffic to pick them up on time from daycare and then put dinner on the table, we are completely exhausted and it's almost their bedtime. Signing them up for a sport or activity two to three evenings a week seems inconceivable, as we are already stressed and pressed for time. Do you have any suggestions that will help keep our kids healthy? Thanks, Mrs. Persaud

Hello Mrs. Persaud,
First, I would like to assure you that you are not alone. Many of us face the same dilemma as we struggle to fit everything in the weekly schedule. Try and keep a level head during these stressful times and take refuge in knowing that it is possible to keep your kids fit with limited time by making two simple adjustments in their daily routine...

Continue reading Too Busy For After-School Sports? Backyard Fitness Keeps Kids Healthy

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]]>backyard fitnessBackyardFitnessexercise at homeExerciseAtHomehealthy habits for kidsHealthyHabitsForKidshome exercisehome fitnesshome fitness for kidsHomeExerciseHomeFitnessHomeFitnessForKidspt4kidsreggie reyesReggieReyesReggie ReyesFri, 19 Mar 2010 12:30:00 ESTDo Athletic Kids Fare Better as Adults?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/17/do-athletic-kids-fare-better-as-adults/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/17/do-athletic-kids-fare-better-as-adults/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/17/do-athletic-kids-fare-better-as-adults/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As a parent of three kids, I make it a priority to sign them up for as many different sports as possible, hoping they will continue one or two of them into their teenage and adult years. When I look back at my reasoning behind signing them up, it seems purely physical. I want them to be healthy, strong and fit. Like many other parents, I also want to fill up their time to keep them busy and out of trouble as they get older.

I recently came across an article on the benefits of girls in sports, which discussed the impact of of a federal education law called "Title IX" and showcased some of the "non-physical" benefits of female participation in sports. Aside from the disease-preventing benefits associated with physical activity, it emphasized that kids who engage in sports are developing character traits that will help them in every aspect of their lives.

What Is Title IX?
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid." -- Patsy T. Mink

Continue reading Do Athletic Kids Fare Better as Adults?

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]]>benefits of sportsBenefitsOfSportschildhood developmentChildhoodDevelopmentfemale athletesFemaleAthletesgirls and sportsGirlsAndSportskids in sportsKidsInSportstitle ixTitleIxReggie ReyesWed, 17 Mar 2010 14:05:00 ESTThinking About Orthotics for Your Child? Try This First...http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/16/orthotics-for-kids-not-recommended/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/16/orthotics-for-kids-not-recommended/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/16/orthotics-for-kids-not-recommended/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dear Reggie,
My 11-year-old daughter Sophie is an avid downhill skier in the winter and plays competitive soccer in the summer. Lately she has been experiencing pain in her lower back and right knee. Sometimes the pain is intense enough to prevent her from playing sports. My friend recommended I take Sophie to a chiropractor to get fitted for custom orthotics as her daughter had similar issues. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Mrs. Thomas

Hello Mrs. Thomas,
If the pain persists even with a couple days rest, then a professional diagnosis by a medical doctor is a priority. This will allow you to start on a plan of action to get Sophie better sooner than later...

Continue reading Thinking About Orthotics for Your Child? Try This First...

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]]>kids exerciseKidsExerciseorthopedic shoesorthopedicsOrthopedicShoesorthoticsReggie ReyesTue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 ESTKeep Your Kids Active During March Breakhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/11/keep-your-kids-active-during-march-break/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/11/keep-your-kids-active-during-march-break/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/11/keep-your-kids-active-during-march-break/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dear Reggie,
I have three kids between the ages of nine and 13 starting March Break very soon. Most of their physical activity is completed during school recess, walking to and from school and the occasional playtime outdoors. They are a little shy of the recommended 60 minutes of daily vigorous activity and I am afraid they will just want to sit around and vegetate in front of the television during their holidays. What do you suggest I do to keep them active during the March break?
Thanks, Lisa

Dear Lisa,
In the sports world, I often hold weekly training camps in the off-season to ensure the athletes are in shape for the competitive season. I am always astonished by the amount of physical improvements that can be achieved in a week of focused training. For kids not involved in team sports or camps, I often recommend parents use March Break as a "training camp" for improved health and fitness. I call it "March Madness." The goal is to get your kids motivated about leading a healthy lifestyle -- one that includes at least 60 minutes of daily vigorous activity. Some parents take it a step further and implement healthy eating as well. By doing all the activities together as a family, you not only provide a great example to your kids, but it also becomes a great bonding experience.

Here's an example of what I'd suggest to parents for a week-long "training camp."

Continue reading Keep Your Kids Active During March Break

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]]>active kidsActiveKidsactivities for kidsActivitiesForKidscanadaholiday activities for kidsHolidayActivitiesForKidskids exerciseKidsExercisemarch breakMarchBreakreggie reyesReggieReyesReggie ReyesThu, 11 Mar 2010 09:30:00 ESTPower Foods to Fuel Your Child Athletehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/08/power-foods-to-fuel-your-child-athlete/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/08/power-foods-to-fuel-your-child-athlete/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/08/power-foods-to-fuel-your-child-athlete/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Each week, personal trainer Reggie Reyes shares with us a child-related health and/or fitness concern that he's been approached with, and how he's helped clients to solve the problem.

Problem
The mother of a 15-year-old hockey player approached me for fitness advice as she observed that her son seemed to tire quickly, lacked energy and appeared lethargic all the time. Considering his high activity level, she couldn't understand why he appeared unfit?

About the Child (Let's call him Gregory)
In addition to playing high level ice hockey four to five times a week, Gregory also played for most of his high school teams. He was your prototypical "jock," who appeared confident and strong. He was at a healthy weight relative to his age and height. He complained that his legs often felt heavy and would start to burn in the middle of every shift on the ice. He wanted me to design a program for him that would boost his energy and allow him to play all sports at a high level.

My Initial Thoughts
The first thing I needed to do was to ensure that Gregory's "lack of energy" was not a cover for poor fitness level. After performing a battery of tests, Gregory passed all with flying colours. I checked his sleeping habits and he slept eight hours a night. His last examination at the doctor did not reveal any iron deficiencies. The most logical explanation was his diet.

Continue reading Power Foods to Fuel Your Child Athlete

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]]>child athleteChildAthletefood for energyFoodForEnergynutrition and exerciseNutritionAndExercisepower foodsPowerFoodsReggie ReyesMon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:00 ESTSo Your Kid Wants to Be the Next Sidney Crosby?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/04/the-next-sidney-crosby/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/04/the-next-sidney-crosby/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/04/the-next-sidney-crosby/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As Team Canada recently won the gold medal in both men's and women's ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, many young boys and girls are starting to dream of scoring the overtime winner like Sidney Crosby or captaining the team to gold like Hayley Wickenheiser. In fact, a client of mine recently told me that her 13-year-old daughter is going to start competing in snowboarding again after a one-year hiatus, because she wants to go to the next Winter Olympics in Russia.

Whether your child wants to be an Olympic athlete in his or her favourite sport, or simply wants to try a new sport that they've seen on television (snowboard cross, anyone?), we -- their parents -- must support this enthusiasm in every possible way.

Tips for raising an athlete, after the jump...

Continue reading So Your Kid Wants to Be the Next Sidney Crosby?

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]]>child athleteChildAthleteelite athleteelite athletesEliteAthleteEliteAthleteskids sportsKidsSportsolympicsPatrick KanePatrickKaneSidney CrosbySidneyCrosbysports developmentSportsDevelopmentteam canadaTeamCanadaReggie ReyesThu, 04 Mar 2010 16:00:00 ESTUnderstanding the Mandometer Weight Loss Device for Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/01/mandometer-weight-loss-device-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/01/mandometer-weight-loss-device-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/03/01/mandometer-weight-loss-device-for-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As childhood obesity and the associated diseases -- such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease -- continue to destroy the health of our kids, various professionals continue to create different programs and initiatives to mitigate the problems. A new device called the Mandometer has been designed to help kids monitor their eating behaviours.

This can be viewed as a step in the right direction, as long as the device is used as an educational tool to lead kids and parents on the path to sensible eating. It is not practical to take a device with you everywhere you go and whenever you need to eat. We need to ensure our kids do not form a dependency on the device and empower them to develop their own sensible eating habits. At the end of the day, kids and parents need to be accountable to each other (as opposed to a machine) to make a real lifestyle change.

Continue reading Understanding the Mandometer Weight Loss Device for Kids

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]]>healthy eating for kidshealthy eating habitsHealthyEatingForKidsHealthyEatingHabitsMandometerweight loss for kidsWeightLossForKidsReggie ReyesMon, 01 Mar 2010 12:05:00 ESTHow Lack of Sleep Affects Your Child's Weighthttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/02/25/how-lack-of-sleep-affects-weight/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/02/25/how-lack-of-sleep-affects-weight/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/02/25/how-lack-of-sleep-affects-weight/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Each week, personal trainer Reggie Reyes shares with us a child-related health and/or fitness concern that he's been approached with, and how he's helped clients to solve the problem.

Problem:
A mother of a 13-year old boy approached me concerned that her son is slightly overweight, despite the fact that he exercises regularly and eats relatively well. She was concerned that his lack of energy could worsen his weight problem and lead to him becoming obese.

About the Child (Let's call him Peter)
Peter had a heavy build that he carried very well. He seemed confident within his own skin. He was hoping that I could give him some exercises to trim his mid-section and give him an energy boost. I took his BMI, and he scored a little on the overweight side. I kept in mind that his extra "weight" could also be accounted for by his larger bone structure and muscle mass.

My Initial Thoughts
Whenever a parent tells me their child is active and eats relatively well, I immediately question (in my mind) if their perspective of healthy eating and adequate exercise is the same as mine? In most cases, we are not on the same page.

Continue reading How Lack of Sleep Affects Your Child's Weight

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]]>childhood obesityChildhoodObesityexercise and kidsexercise and nutritionExerciseAndKidsExerciseAndNutritionLack of sleeplack of sleep linked to obesityLackOfSleepLackOfSleepLinkedToObesitypt4kidsreggie reyesReggieReyessleep and obesitysleep and weight lossSleepAndObesitySleepAndWeightLossReggie ReyesThu, 25 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST