As we know, parents have a strong influence on the development of healthy lifestyle choices of their children. When parents guide their children to eat nutritious snacks and meals and engage in physical activity, they help them establish patterns that can last a lifetime – and usually a healthier lifetime. So how are young people doing?

According to a recent article in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, physical inactivity is increasing among teens in the U.S., especially among girls. In 2005, almost one-third of teens failed to meet national recommendations for moderate to vigorous physical activity (MMWR, 2006). Researchers from The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and San Diego State University explored the relationship between parental influences and adolescent physical activity and whether those relationships were mediated by self-esteem and depression.

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the researchers found that family cohesion, parent-child communication, and parental engagement positively influenced a teen’s physical activity. They also found that positive parental relationships were associated with their teen’s self-esteem, which in turn led to increased physical activity. The researchers suggest that “a parenting style characterized by warmth and support, while providing adolescents with appropriate levels of autonomy, may be important for achieving recommended levels of physical activity.”

The research suggests that when families spend time together, communicate with each other, and develop strong family bonds they also are more likely to promote physical activity among their teens.

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.

Podcast: Parental influence on physical activity
Written by: Donna Davis
Reviewed by: Linda Bobroff & Suzanna Smith

Reference

Ornelas, I., Perreira, K., Ayala, G. Parental influences on adolescent physical activity: a longitudinal study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2007, 4:3 doi:10.1186/1479-5868-4-3. Retrieved on February 5, 2007.

Eaton D, Kann L, Kinchen S, Ross J, Hawkins J, Harris W, Lowry R, McManus T,
Chyen D, Shanklin S, et al: “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance -- United States, 2005”. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries2006, 55:1-108. Retrieved on February 14, 2007.

In our fitness-conscious and competitive world, there are multitudes of self-styled nutrition “experts” who have plenty of advice to offer, many with a product to sell. For parents of athletes, the choices can be overwhelming as they seek to provide that competitive edge to their children through proper nutrition. If you’re packing for long days on soccer sidelines, wrestling mats, baseball fields, swimming pools, tracks or any number of strenuous sports activities for your children, knowing how to provide the right fuel throughout the day can be confusing!

According to nutrition experts, except for energy (calories) and water, nutritional needs are basically the same for people who exercise for fun and health, for athletes, and for those who are less active. Using MyPyramid as a guide to eating well for fitness and health can help parents provide their young athletes with good nutrition for training and competition. And, while well-nourished athletes don’t require supplements of protein, amino acids, vitamins, or ergogenic aides such as chromium or creatineas many marketers might have you believe, there are certain nutritional steps your young athlete can take to maximize his or her performance.

For starters, a high-carbohydrate diet provides energy for training and competition. By eating a high-carbohydrate diet each day, your child will have a ready supply of glucose when it’s needed. Likewise, make certain your athlete is well hydrated by consuming cool water before, during and after exercise. Dehydration decreases performance and can cause serious harm to the body. During intense exercise lasting longer than an hour, commercial sports drinks are even better than water as they replace the sodium and electrolytes lost during exercise. And, while these tips will help children during their sports activities, the same rules hold true for the adult athletes in your family!

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.

Podcast: Food and fitness
Written by Linda Bobroff and Donna Davis
Reviewed by Suzanna Smith

Source

Bobroff, Linda B., “Food and Fitness: Myths and Truths” (2006) EDIS document FCS8100, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Retrieved September 26, 2006 online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu