Page 9 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • April 2004 9
Children don't have to become obese
1_U a DevG, 2ow
It's impossible to have ignored the spate of TV documentaries about obesity in the last few months and
media coverage of the health problems resulting from poor diets and lack of exercise. Overweight Registered Homeopath
children are a particular concern to doctors and the majority of parents. Fitness instructor and personal
trainer Les Slinn looks at the problems and suggests ways of overcoming them. Homeopathy
With the growth of fast food out- • Try not to let food become a Les Slinn can be contacted on & Allergy
lets and diets too high in sugar and power struggle, nor a means of 0783 3582788.
fat it's no wonder that more and reward or punishment. Testing Clinic
more children are becoming obese- How do you counter the excuses Get the competitive spirit
it has been described as a modern about not exercising? Tiny Tournaments, a weekly af- 4 High Street, Purton
epidemic. • 'None of my friends do it.' Sug- ter school football tournament for
About 1 in 5 children are now gest a child be the one to inspire West Swindon primary school Tel: 01793 772883
overweight and more are becom- others; sport is also a great way to children, will be launched on 20 !^
ing severely overweight or obese. make new friends; April at Westlea School:
Research suggests that the main • 4pmto5.30pmfor6/7yearolds; Registered Kith the
problem is a continual lack of exer ' 'I'd rather play computer games.' ' • 5.30pm to 7pm for 8/9 years. Society of Hooreopaths
cise. Many overweight children They can do both. When they are The format for boys and girls
have overweight parents which fed up with the current game get moves away from the traditional
them out to play foot-
suggests this is a mat- ball or on those bikes after-school coaching session and
ter of family lifestyle. and start pedalling; provides an opportunity to play in
To put the issue in a tournament each week, focusing
perspective, com- • '1 can't be both- on games and penalty shoot-outs.
pare the amount of Bred.' Many people The aim is to supplement cur-
exercise you took as say that, but after rent football sessions and the ac-
a child with what they have exercised cent will be on fun. All equipment
children do today. ' ._` usually think 'I re- will be of the highest quality and
All sorts of prob- ally enjoyed that!' real goals, not cones or poles, will
lems can arise from Give it a go; be used. All staff will be qualified
the lack of exercise: • 'Its not cool.' Try football coaches.
tiredness, backache, telling that to top- The tournaments are for indi-
headaches, joint flight footballers, viduals, not teams from established
problems, poor sleep rugby players and football clubs. For more details or
patterns, emotional athletes. Not every- an application form go to
and psychological body will be top level www.tinytoumaments.btintemet.co.uk
problems, which can lead to low but everybody will get a lot out of or call Ian Turner on 872158 or
self—esteem. More worrying is the getting fitter. People who knock 0776 3312174.
increase in diabetes in children and others about exercising are usu-
young adults, ally the ones who could not run to
As a parent myself, I know the catch a bus if their lives depended
struggles we all have with trying on it; ii
to get our children to eat the right • 'Exercise is boring.' Try differ-
things and exercise enough.
ent things, maybe sport is not for
So what can we do? all, but ever thought about Scouts
• Try and make long term changes or Guides? These organisations
to healthy eating for all the offer all sorts of activities;
family not just your children. Queen Elizabeth Drive, Swindon SN25 1WL
• 'It's only for boys.' Many girls
• Eat at least 5 portions of fruit find that some activities at school Reception open:
and vegetables a day; do not suit them but there are al-
• Reduce fat sugar and salt in food; ternatives such as martial arts, Monday to Friday lam to 6.30pm
dance schools, swimming or gym-
• Cut down on the fizzy drinks Tel: 01793 709500 • Fax: 01793 723875
and increase water intake to keep nastics they can try. E-mail: enquiries@tawhillsu gery.nhs.uk
yourself hydrated. Perhaps just Remember active parents have
start with drinking water at active children and the earlier you www.tawhilisurgery.nhs.uk
mealtimes Two litres of water a. start the easier it is to maintain a ,
healthy lifestyle.
day is recommended for adults; Nea patients alwatfs welcome
COOPER CHEMIST Toothill Pharmacy

WEST SWINDON CENTRE. TEL: 872033 Toothill Village Centre,
°''" g next to Phoenix Surgery

Ask for details of our
Home Health catalogue
Products to make life easier around the home
Also at Coopers: fine fragrances, toiletries, ear piercing, al lcrgy testing Mobility aids
Medical care at home
Piefures like Film processing for 35mm & APS
(Free 35mm film for every 35mm roll developed on premises) Tel: 01793 539701
works of an In store duplicates and enlargements
Dunwich Drive, Toothill, Swindon SN5 8SX
Open 7 days a week. Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm; Sat 9am - 6pm; Sun 10am - 3pm