Why Get Your Family Fitter?

Caring about your family can manifest itself in a range of different ways. Some parents express their love for their children with rewards and treats; others through kind words. But this isn’t the only way to show that you care about your kids and your partner: keeping them in shape and in good health is the best way of taking care of them.

It is a simple fact that keeping fit can prevent major illnesses and lets the whole physical system operate more smoothly. This means that you will feel better emotionally, as well as more capable physically, if you exercise regularly. Especially if you are a parent, you have more influence over those around you than you think.

This article aims to make clear the precise dangers you might face if you and your family is unfit – and the precise benefits that you’ll experience if your family is in good shape. If you love your family, you may be interested in these reasons to care for their health.

Check out our other articles for tips about exercise, easy exercise, and great ways to keep a regular routine without negative impact on the rest of your life.

Risks and dangers for an unfit family

• The biggest risk is development of obesity. Obesity, in both adults and children, poses the threat of premature death, due to the exacerbated effects of the dangers listed below.


• Heart disease (including the risks of heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pains)


• Strokes. Atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries, which may lead to the formation of an arterial blood clot, is an important pre-condition of many strokes. Atherosclerosis is accelerated by high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and lack of exercise.


• Type 2 diabetes. A weight increase of 11-18 pounds raises a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight. Over 80 percent of people with diabetes are overweight or obese.


• Cancers. Weight gain and lack of exercise is associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer including endometrial (cancer of the lining of the uterus), colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and post-menopausal breast cancer.


• Post-menopausal cancer. Women gaining more than 20 pounds from age 18 to midlife double their risk of post-menopausal breast cancer, compared to women whose weight remains stable.


• Fatty liver disease. The main cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is insulin resistance, a metabolic disorder in which cells become insensitive to the effect of insulin. One of the most common risk factors for insulin resistance is obesity, especially central abdominal obesity. Studies indicate a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the degree of liver damage. The higher the BMI the worse the liver disease.


• Gallbladder disease. The risk of gallstones is approximately 3 times greater for obese patients than in non-obese people. Indeed, the risk of sympomatic gallstones appears to correlate with a rise in body mass index (BMI).


• Breathing problems. Obstructive sleep apnea (that is, interrupted breathing during sleeping) is more common in obese persons. Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of asthma and severe bronchitis, as well as obesity hypoventilation syndrome and respiratory insufficiency.


• Osteoporosis and arthritis. Musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis, are much more prevalent among obese patients, especially patients diagnosed with severe clinical or mobid obesity. Health studies show that obesity is a strong predictor for symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with every 2-pound gain in weight.


• Depression and dementia. Emotional suffering may be one of the most painful parts of obesity. Western society emphasizes physical appearance and often equates attractiveness with slimness, especially for women. Such messages make overweight people feel unattractive, which can lead to a downward spiral of self loathing. This will naturally be exacerbated by the chemical imbalances in the unfit body.


• Insomnia. Without burning off the energy you consume from food, you may develop problems trying to sleep at night. This is because your body still has enough energy to stay awake and to keep the mind active, and shutting it down is almost impossible.

Children

In children these factors can be more affecting, both psychologically and physically. If your child doesn’t exercise regularly, it’s more likely that he/she will develop some serious health problems more usually seen in adulthood, such as:

• Hardened and blocked arteries (coronary artery diseases)


• High blood pressure


• Type 2 diabetes


• Increased risk of heart attacks


• Osteoarthritis


• Increased risk of certain cancers


• As well as being a risk to the child’s health, being overweight as a child may also cause emotional problems. Teasing about his/her appearance can affect a child’s confidence and self-esteem, and can lead to isolation and depression.

Children and fitness

Children are more impressionable than adults, and overweight children are twice as likely to be obese when they grow up than those who aren’t overweight. It is very important to teach your children the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. See our article Child Obesity: The Facts for more in-depth info and solutions.

Benefits of fitness for the family

• Losing just a small amount of weight can greatly reduce your chances of developing heart disease or a stroke.


• Halve your risk of getting type 2 diabetes


• Help to control diabetes and prevent long-term complications if you already have the condition


• Halve your risk of developing coronary heart disease


• Increase levels of HDL (‘good’ cholesterol)


• Reduce high blood pressure


• Promote bone density and protect against osteoporosis


• Reduce the risk of arthritis


• Train up the muscles to support your bones, which will decrease your risk of aches and pains, especially lower back pains.


• Reduce your overall risk of cancer, prevent bowel cancer and reduce the risk of breast cancer in women after the menopause


• Reduce your risk of depression and dementia in later life


• Treat depression, help you to feel better about yourself and reduce stress


• Improve and regulate your sleep patterns


• Help to promote healthy growth and development in children, as well as maintaining their energy balance, psychological wellbeing and social interaction

Solutions

The ultimate solution to these problems is to keep your family fit and healthy, with regular exercise and a well-balanced diet. It really is as simple as that.

See our other articles for ways to get your family fitter, and how to target your individual danger areas.

By the way…

The UK government recommends that adults aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on five or more days of the week and that children and young people do 60 minutes every day.

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent.

Caring about your family can manifest itself in a range of different ways. Some parents express their love for their children with rewards and treats; others through kind words. But this isn’t the only way to show that you care about your kids and your partner: keeping them in shape and in good health is the best way of taking care of them.

Why Get Your Family Fitter?