Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Blog Carnival
This article was written for inclusion in the blog carnival hosted by Littlestomaks to promote awareness of childhood obesity as part of the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Please read to the end of this article to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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What would the world look like if everyone practiced yoga?Would one in every three children be overweight or obese? Would the rate of childhood obesity continue to double and triple - as it has over the past three decades?
Can yoga be a part of the solution to the childhood obesity crisis in our country?
When introduced at a young age, yoga can encourage a lifelong love of exercise, movement, and motion. Yoga is a great form of exercise. It can help to build strong bones, improve respiration and circulation, and even lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Recent studies show that children who practice yoga are more likely to choose healthier foods and participate in more physical activity than children who do not practice yoga. The benefits of a yoga practice reach farther than just the physical, yoga can also improve a child's well-being, concentration and focus, and help manage stress.
Childhood obesity is much more than kids overeating; it's a disconnect between a child's body and the food that goes in it. Yoga can help children make this connection and become more aware of how food effects their body and their minds.
Think your child can't learn yoga? Think again (and watch this inspiring video):
If you live in the DC metro area, below are some great yoga studios that offer yoga for children of all ages.
Inner Power Yoga (Sterling, VA)
Budding Yogis at Circle Yoga (Washington, DC)
Capital Hill Yoga (Washington, DC)
Yoga Tales (Bethesda, MD)
Sun and Moon Studio (Fairfax/Arlington, VA)
Just For Kids (Arlington, VA)
Yoga Chai (Washington, DC)
Yoga for Healthy Living (Reston, VA)
Beloved Yoga (Reston, VA)
What would the world look like if everyone practiced yoga?
Danielle Omar, MS, RD
www.foodconfidence.com
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Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
7 Things Parents Say That Cause Eating and Weight Problems in Kids Michelle May, Physician and author of Eat What You Love Love What You Eat, highlights a few things parents say which can have unintended consequences (@EatWhatYouLove)
Childhood Obesity Kia Robertson of Today I Ate a Rainbow suggests that prevention of childhood obesity should start with education and educating parents about basics of healthy eating by breaking it into achievable parts (@eatingarainbow)
Childhood Obesity: A Reality Check Dr Susan Rubin, founder of BSF, suggests we change our approach to looking at childhood obesity (@DrSuRu)
Childhood Obesity: Prevention Starts in Infancy Nutrition expert Sarah Fennel reminds us that prevention is the best cure and offers a few tips to raise healthy eaters (@FoodFunHealth)
Giving Our Children a Chance at Health Registered dietitian Susan Dopart offers tips to parents for taking charge of their child's health in the world of over-processed "kid foods" (@smnutritionist)
Healthy School Campaigns Works on Creating Healthy Food Environments A report on Chicago's Healthy School Campaigns (HFC), a non profit dedicated to creating a healthy food environment in schools
How to Prevent and Manage Childhood Obesity Registered dietitian Jessica Levinson offers practical tips to prevent and manage childhood obesity (@JLevinsonRD)
Lessons I have Learned as a Mom Registered dietitian Alysa Bajenaru shares some of the lessons she has learned that have helped her develop a good understanding of what it takes to feed her kids (@InspiredRD)
Looking for a New Trend in Childhood Obesity? Registered dietitian Elizabeth Rahavi of the IFIC brings the focus back on family in the debate about childhood obesity (@FoodInsight)
Losing Weight: It Starts in Your Head Registered dietitian Cindy Williams reminds us of the power of attitude and mindset in losing weight and controlling obesity (@nutritionchic)
Making the Grade Registered dietitian Sally Kuzemchak evaluates her son's school programs on healthy eating and physical activity (@RMNutrition)
Obesity and GERD: A Family Affair Jan Gambino, author of Reflux 101, writes about the link between overweight and GERD
Parents, Let's Take a Positive Approach to Childhood Obesity Registered dietitian Ashley Rosales from the Dairy Council of California encourages parents to take a positive approach in helping their kids build healthy habits
Revolutionize the Way Your Kids Eat in Five Easy Steps Sociologist Dr Dina Rose suggests we shift our focus from nutrition to eating habits if we are serious about solving childhood obesity (@DrDrRose)
Surprising Easy Solution for Preventing Childhood Obesity Research shows benefits of extended breastfeeding in reducing risk of childhood obesity (@TwinToddlersDad)
The Problem Behind Childhood Obesity Ken Whitman, Publisher of Organic Connections, points out that our national priorities concerning childhood obesity are misplaced and calls for a renewed focus on the health of our nations kids.
Yoga Gets Kids Moving Registered dietitian Danielle Omar has an interesting suggestion for solving childhood obesity - get your kids into yoga! (@2eatwellRD)
