Obesity in childhood is reaching alarming proportions in the United States. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in a May 2008 report, between 16 and 33 percent of all American children and adolescents are obese. Carrying significant extra weight in childhood -- particularly around the belly -- can lead to numerous health problems later in life, including diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory problems and increased risk for heart disease. Regular exercise is fundamental to burning excess fat. Although it is impossible to "spot reduce" belly fat, numerous exercises can help your child to whittle away the pounds, including those padding his abdominal muscles.
Exercise through Fun
There's no need to start forcing your child to do calisthenics every morning. She can obtain plenty of exercising by engaging in fun pastimes that require her to be active. Join your child in a game of tag, hopscotch, jump rope, kickball, badminton, softball, bowling, soccer, basketball or even a water-balloon fight. Plan trips to museums or zoos, where you and your child will spend an hour or so walking around. Go on bike rides, jump on a trampoline or take skateboard lessons together. These activities burn plenty of calories, and your child probably won't even notice that she's working out.
Exercise through Chores
Many household chores have high-calorie-burning potential. Taking the dog for a walk, for example, provides a good aerobic workout. Washing the car, pulling weeds, mowing the lawn and vacuuming can also help get the heart and lungs pumping. These activities not only are good for young waistlines, they also may instill in your child a sense of responsibility, which in turn may boost his self-esteem.
Dancing
Dancing is an excellent way to burn fat without thinking twice about its health benefits. Dancing helps tone muscle, but it can also improve your child's mood and confidence. Look at local community centers where you may be able to enroll your child in a ballet, hip-hop, salsa or even a jazz dance class. You can also get your child to move simply by turning on some fast-paced music that she likes.
Swimming
Most kids love water-based activities, and swimming is a great way to help your child to drop unwanted belly fat. According to the My Overweight Child website, swimming provides a superb cardiovascular workout, tones muscles throughout the body, increases flexibility and improves endurance levels. Because it is low impact, it also reduces the risk of injury to the joints and ligaments, which might already be stressed by your child's extra weight. In addition to swimming, treading water, performing leg kicks, walking through the water, or playing games, such as water polo or relay races, can burn plenty of calories and keep your child fit.
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