Thread: Is youth fitness a problem?

I deal with several FP teams on a daily basis through Little League. Even with it being LL where we accept all players, I would say that for the most part they are not overweight. I would say that in our program we have about 90% of our players are not overweight.

I have two kids involved in multiple sports and fastpitch softball FAR and AWAY has the largest proportion of out-of-shape kids!

We see girls every weekend that are significantly over weight. Very rare to see in other sports. I think it's shameful.

Keith

Marc, I think this is a great topic to which I will add the need for adequate sleep. It is challenging for them to come in at 10:00 at night off of a win, to the showers, and bed. Their adrenaline is usually high. They've played three or four games and have two or three the next day...first game, sometimes begins at 8:30 a.m. (depending on wins/losses) and must be there at 7:45 a.m. The distance of the ballpark determines what time they must get up and going. Sport nutrition is a great topic, and I would love to discover more recipes and great snack ideas. What are the best choices to feed an athlete before competition, in between games, etc. What is the best breakfast to get the body moving and ready for performance? I am fortunate that my children love milk. I have heard that pro trainers require three glasses of milk per day, but I know some children who hate dairy or have an intolerance to dairy products. Warm milk contains tryptophan which helps the body relax. The following recipe is mixed and heated (can substitute with artificial sweetener)...great before bed.

1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

There is a fortune waiting for someone who establishes a concession stand selling smoothies, fruit, and other healthy choices. We have become a drive-thru society. I took flack for joining Weight Watchers with nine pounds to lose. For me, it wasn't about the pounds but the doctor's concern about my blood pressure, family history, and cholesterol numbers. Sadly, we evaluate weight at the cost of nutrition. It takes effort and costs more to eat healthy. I am not looking to ban concession stands, but I would like to see healthier choices and hope that the foods weighty in grease are not reflective of overall diet. The other threads talk much about "strength and endurance," and diet is as important as any other drill.

Obesity in young people is Shaquille O'Neal's crusade (and a good one), see the following article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6422409.stm

I am fortunate to be in a neighborhood with another family of three who believe in outside activity...stick ball, street hockey, four square, jumprobe, etc. (and we live in suburbia). Electronic games are acceptable in moderation, but not on a beautiful 65 degree, sunny day :-) I am grateful this is not problematic in my children. Now, fighting over who is sitting in what seat...problematic.

My dd's school now follows the block system. Physical education every other week. I don't mean this in a judgmental way, but parent's have to assume the responsibility for their children's consumption of food, encouragement of activity, and asserting the effort to say no when yes is easier.

"Example is contagious behavior." - Charles Reade

Ang

Without a doubt. Must say most of my students are not. Some of them still have baby fat but that goes away with puberty in most athletic kids based on my experience.

Elliott.

Elliot.

I see different sizes out there. Even in College Ball, there were some big girls. I am going beyond size to try to discover what types of food will help in their performance.

Ang

Sorry Elliott.

I wanted to mentioned your point on puberty is well noted.

Ang

Great article on Softball Sport Nutrition. I used to create my own trailmixes and need to get back to doing that. My challenge is making the time for good preparation. One year my children and I made over sixty bags of trail mix. This article prompted me to do that again.

http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-softb...041006aac.html

Ang