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Let's Get Physical
Helping Overweight Kids Get Active
By Alex Powell
Instead, Dr. Sothern teaches the children in her program to pace themselves by recognizing cues such as rapid breathing and pulse, feeling hot and getting red in the face. When they notice these signals, it's time to slow down. "If they are so exhausted they can't even walk, they should sit, but keep their arms moving, keep their heart and lungs pumping, and when they feel recovered they can start walking again," she says.
Children who are overweight are also prone to feelings of helplessness – what researchers call low self-efficacy. "They feel like they can't really control their weight, so then they feel like they can't do anything," says Dr. Sothern. It's important to recognize this, especially when setting fitness goals. By giving these children something they can easily accomplish, what inevitably happens is they end up doing more, says Dr. Sothern. She recommends very inactive children start with only 10 to 15 minutes of exercise twice a week and increase their activity slowly to ensure they meet or even exceed their own goals.
Overweight kids often avoid physical activity because they are afraid of being bullied. Sadly, that's a valid fear. Barbara Blake of Thibodaux, La., had several reasons for wanting her son, Matthew, to get in shape. While 11-year-old Matt's health was her primary concern, she worried about teasing as well. "Unfortunately, kids can be mean," says Blake. "I've struggled with weight all my life, and that was a big part of encouraging him to change, because I didn't want him to have to go through what I went through."
