Overcoming Childhood Obesity with Personal Training

Overcoming Childhood Obesity with Personal Training

It is not news that childhood obesity rates are skyrocketing. We have all seen ads and school initiatives for better eating, but there is still a strong need for physical education. School budget cuts are causing many problems for kids today as physical education is one of the first programs to go.

According to the American Obesity Association, this is not a small problem. Approximately 30% of children of school age are overweight and another 15% are obese. This has educators, politicians, and, most important, parents concerned about how to tackle this growing problem.

Personal Training: Not Just for Adults

Not every child is a candidate for personal training but it is certainly a route to help some children learn about healthy habits and the role of exercise in their lives. For children that are struggling with their weight now, not only does personal training help them learn good habits, but it also helps them start to lose weight in a healthy way.

Childhood obesity is a leading indicator for adulthood obesity, so tackling this problem early is imperative for parents to make sure your children become healthy adults. Parents often choose personal trainers because they are skilled in providing your child with structure that he or she may not get elsewhere when it comes to healthy habits.

It is not just overweight children that are strong candidates for personal training. Many people hire personal trainers to help their children excel at sports. While this may seem overboard to some, studies are showing that children that engage in weight training with light weights are more adept at sports and, more importantly, less injury prone than those children that do not spend as much time exercising.

Children Who are Best Fits for Personal Training

Personal trainers are a great fit for particular types of children. When children are not interested in organized sports, trainers can provide the much needed exercise. It is not uncommon for kids to like organized sports, but feel insecure about their abilities and person trainers can increase their confidence.

There are many children today that have different health issues or specific needs that do not allow for them to participate in organized sports. Personal trainers can take the individual needs of these children in to consideration when they are creating a plan for healthy eating and exercise.

Qualifications for Trainers

How do you choose the best trainer for your child? Well, there are several characteristics to look for:

1.     Certification – there are different certifications and degree programs so make sure your personal trainer is certified.

2.     Experience – not only should the trainer have testimonials/references, but they should have worked with children in the past.

3.     Compassion – trainers need to be able to listen to the input from the child and make the sessions fun.

4.     Philosophy – a trainer should be able to tell you about what he or she thinks is best for your child and why.

As a parent, you should always attend a few sessions with the child to see what kind of person the trainer is and how well the trainer fits with your child. It takes time to develop healthy habits, so make sure that you give it time and patience.