Fitness & Exercise

Researchers in the UK have now produced several studies showing a direct link between the number of hours spent watching television and the level of body fat in a child. Quite simply, The more TV the more body fat. The secret to a true healthy lifestyle combines both effective exercise and a healthy balanced diet.

With young children it is important to encourage and instil good exercise habits early - hopefully habits that they will keep for their entire lifetime. There are two main types of exercise, Aerobic and Anaerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise burns fat whereas anaerobic exercise tends to build muscle and not burn fat. The difference lies in the nature of the exercise. Aerobic exercise involves a sustained period of exercise with a raised heartbeat and increased breathing. After approximately  20-30 minutes the body naturally starts to burn use stored fat as a source of energy.

Anaerobic exercise involves shorter bursts of energy and effort intermingled with intervals of rest. Whilst anaerobic exercise does not burnt fat, it does build bigger muscles which are an obvious asset when it comes to aerobic exercise. Most sports utilise Aerobic exercise - football, tennis, basketball, hockey, cycling, jogging, swimming, walking (fast) and skating. Anaerobic exercise tends to centre around lifting weights but sit ups, press ups and chin ups (et al) also count as anaerobic exercise.

You should always take extra care before and after exercise by warming up and down properly. Teach your children to perform general stretches before any exercise in order to avoid injury. It is just as important to perform stretch routines at the end of vigorous exercise. Make sure your children have the proper safety equipment for any sport they undertake.

If your child begins to feel sick or unwell (or pain) during exercise, use your common sense and let them sit down and catch their breath or get a glass of water.