Sierra Nevada Children's Services

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 1980 only 7% of children aged 6 to 11 were considered overweight. In 1984, 18.8% of these children are overweight. Adolescents aged 12 to 19 are now more than 3 times likely to be overweight. (5% to 17.1%).

The problems for children who are overweight are many and serious. To quote the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 61% of overweight young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In addition, children who are overweight are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Overweight young people are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing related diseases.

Why our kids are getting overweight is pretty simple. They eat more calories than they burn. While genetics and other health concerns affect weight, the basic concept remains the same. Eating too much and getting too little exercise leads to weight gain.

The reason the childhood weight problem is so widespread is because our society has changed so much of the last 30 years. Compared with 30 years ago, we sit around far more, eat much fattier foods and eat much more food. Think video games, TV, high fat fast food, and so on.

As individuals, we cannot directly change society, but we can change what goes on our families. That change will directly address the growing problem of obesity in our families and, in turn, society. For instance, you can provide opportunities for your children to become active and get fit. One specific thing you can do is enroll your children in martial arts and be supportive of their participation. That might help.

But let’s be really honest. Our behavior as adults and parents matters – a lot. If we tell our kids to participate in healthy activities and eat properly, but are not physically active ourselves and eat poorly . . . . You know what the result will most likely be: What we model our children become.

At Aikido’Ka, we make healthy modeling fun and easy. By enrolling at Aikido’Ka with your children, your children will begin to live and understand the value of a healthy life-style with you. Unlike most families, you will learn together and from one other. You will travel together on a path of real self-improvement where you support each other. You will learn together how to resolve disputes in healthy, respectful ways. Real self-respect and self-confidence blossom under these circumstances.

Aikido is very good exercise for all ages and levels of physical condition. You and your children will move at your own pace and increase the intensity of your training as you see fit. Your family’s fitness will improve at the proper rate for you. As a result, we have members lose a lot of weight while having tremendous fun.

One issue that overweight kids often have is that they cannot compete well with more athletically-inclined or physically fit children. These children tend to form poor self-images and start avoiding all sports and forms of physical activity. This decision creates a downward spiral of poor physical condition and self-image. Of real concern is the fact that the self-image we form in childhood is very difficult to change later in life.

At Aikido’Ka, we have no competition. All of our drills and training are cooperative. And if you are training with your children, you will be on the mat being supportive and modeling healthy behavior. And, perhaps most important of all, Aikido is a nonviolent martial art. This may seem strange at first, but the philosophy of Aikido is to resolve disputes – even a violent dispute – without anyone getting hurt.

At Aikido’Ka nobody fights. We are a community – children, teens, parents, grandparents, adult singles – all training together to improve our lives.

The keys to life-long fitness is making fitness something you and your children enjoy and making fitness a fun part of your lives. Aikido can help you on this path, because your training will be positive and emphasize the results your family is achieving – rather than dwelling on shortcomings. By involving your entire family in healthy eating and training at Aikido’Ka, you will be on the path to long, loving, healthy lives together.

An aikidoka is someone who trains in aikido. At Aikido’Ka, we share “the Art of Peace” to make our lives and our communities better. Please join us at 142 W. McKnight Way, call us at (530) 273-7272 or visit www.aiki-do-ka.com. Happy training!

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