Children with Adult Problems

55% of individuals in the state of Nebraska say they exercise at least once per month. Almost 15% of our children are overweight, and 43 percent of adult Nebraskan's are overweight. Why is this? Many reasons. Fast food is a staple in most U.S. households. No one walks anymore-we even ride to the drive-through to get our food! Computers, television, computer games, and remote controls all contribute to the problem. There are dozens of reasons why children are becoming overweight. Unfortunately, there are not as many solutions to the problem. As with adults, the solution seems simple-eat less, and exercise more.

In this day and age, people are afraid to let their children ride their bikes or walk in their neighborhood. The days of playing outside until dark or dinner are over for many neighborhoods. They even make battery-operated cars for toddlers to ride in. Isn't the point of being a toddler to learn to walk?! Congress is trying to put money into programs for our communities to make them safer to walk in, and to play in. Health care providers all over the world are trying to provide programs for parents, doctors, and schools to help decrease the incidence of children becoming over weight. It is our job as parents to continue to encourage our children, and us to move away from the television and the computer. Take a family walk-and not to the local ice cream store! Be a good role model-eat, and offer healthy foods, and encourage exercise-and be an active participant!