Day Twenty-Six: Teach Your Children Well

It's a taboo topic....it's only recently beginning to be discussed in the candid nature that it should be. The children's movie "Wall-E" addresses it, and the CDC has begun to finally bring about increased awareness. Slowly, we're all starting to give this huge, gaping wound in our society the proper attention that it needs.

Our beautiful children are getting sick.

I see overweight children at the park decline to play tag or play on the monkeybars. I assume that it's related to their self-perception regarding their speed, agility, and muscular strength. With their head down and eyes low, I see their confidence diminishing. It absolutely breaks my heart.

"Onset diabetes" used to be called, "Adult Onset Diabetes". The name has changed because of the population of people now getting it...and the CDC has now reported that one-third of all children born after the year 2000 with be getting this disease during their life. One-third!!!


Onset diabetes is a travesty of a disease. The general symptoms go like this...it begins with frequent urination. There's an increase in appetite and thirst, blurred vision, and fatigue. In an post-pubescent male, often there is an inability or difficulty to have an erection. The blood begins to thicken. As an abnormally high blood sugar level is sustained over a long period of time, the individual may have limbs of their body cut off. Some go blind. The diabetic is at serious risk for having a heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Think about it - if the blood is too thick because of the sugar in it, it becomes harder for the blood to travel smoothly and freely in  the body. It would make sense that a foot wouldn't get the blood circulation it needs and begin to die. It is easy to understand how a heart attack or stroke (vessel blockage in the brain) could occur. Also, since the Body Mass Index of someone with onset diabetes is often high, there is just too much body for their little heart to continue to work. Some people have fainting spells because the amount of oxygen making it to the brain is not enough.

In most cases, onset diabetes is entirely avoidable.

Our children eat what we give them. They play when we allow them to. They are victims of our poor choices. Just as we teach our children to go pee in the potty or to read and write, we must also teach them how to take care of their bodies and minds in a manner that promotes health and wellness. Multiple studies have shown that when they eat well and get exercise, their behavior improves. There are some insightful publications that demonstrate how children with healthy habits think clearly, get better grades in school, have more confidence, experience less depression and anxiety, have more deep and restful sleep, and feel more social acceptance. These are areas that have lasting effects and impact their overall quality of life.

We must teach our children well, and the best way to do so is to teach through example.

I challenge you to begin cooking healthy meals for your entire family. I challenge you to make kid-friendly meals that they will love that give them every tool they need for success. Eat Well Kids has some amazing recipes that include healthy pizza, whole -wheat spaghetti with turkey meatballs, and snacks they'll appreciate.