With of 16 percent of children between the ages of 6-19 suffering from obesity in the United States, parents are enrolling their children into gyms at increasingly younger ages.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the percentage mentioned before, which was gathered in a 1999-2002 survey, is actually 45 percent more than the last overweight estimates they received in 1988-1994 when 11 percent of the children were suffering from obesity.
FUNFIT, a gym and fitness center, offers fitness programs for children between the ages of 0-12 years. The president of FUNFIT, Celia Kibler, believes that programs like the one she offers' are very essential in fighting obesity in children.
"A major problem is that nowadays children lead a very sedentary lifestyle because they are always sitting in front of a computer or television, so it is important that children take part in fitness programs that are not only sports," Kibler said.
Annie Mahon, the founder of Circle Yoga and Budding Yogis agrees with Kibler.
"Children are encouraged to sit a lot and combined with the fact that Americans eat a lot of processed foods aids in the increasing obesity rates," Mahon said.
Another major factor in the rise of obesity can be attributed to the schools. In a 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on District of Columbia high school students, 47 percent were not enrolled in a physical education class and 81 percent did not attend physical education class daily. The survey also revealed that in 2003, 38 percent of 9th graders and only 18 percent of 12th graders attended a daily physical education class.
Kibler thinks that her company offers an alternative to school physical education programs.
"A lot of physical education classes are sports oriented and competitive. We, however, de-emphasize competition and emphasize fun and participation, because many children are not highly competitive and gifted in sports so they tend to avoid or back away from it," Kibler said.
Circle Yoga and Budding Yogis teach children yoga starting as young as 2 years old. Founder, Annie Mahon, says that she doesn't consider this exercise but a way in which children can stay connected to their bodies and help their brain develop.
"It is natural for children to move about and we always end with a relaxation period where we teach the children to relax their mind and body," Mahon said.
Mahon also points out a lot of reasons people eat is because of anxiety so if they are calm they are more likely not to eat. "They can use the relaxation techniques taught in class to help them relax when stressed," Mahon said.
FUNFIT, which has been in existence since 1987, boasts of a fitness program that is safe for their young clientele.
"Everything is age appropriate and beneficial to the cognitive development of a child based on their growth and learning. The activities designed for the 0-3 year olds remain the same so they can master their activities and gain self-confidence. The parents take part as well so they get an aerobic exercise," Kibler said.
Jules Harrell, the chairman of the Howard University's psychology department, thinks kid-oriented gyms are a good idea. "Children are spontaneously active but these exercises can guide them in burning energy. Obesity is ravaging society and I think these clubs provide a source of enjoyment for children not only physically but mentally as well," Harrell said.
Annie Mahon stressed that Circle Yoga and Budding Yogis offers activities that everyone in the family can enjoy. "You don't need a team, you could do this anywhere and anytime with your family and it is healthy," Mahon said.
"There are not a lot of things that are healthy and fun that a family can do together but practicing yoga is definitely one."
