Is Children’s Health and Performance an Important Topic to Parents?

Posted by Dr. Mom Online in Kids' Nutrition on October 14, 2009

A couple of nights ago I had the pleasure of giving my “Simple Nutrition for Maximized Living” presentation at a local gymnastics and cheer training center.

The coaches had expressed interest in this subject for quite a long time now. They clearly recongnize that when their athletes are fueling up with the proper nutrition, they are better athletes, are in better condition, have better energy, are better listeners and have better attitudes! Unfortunately, they’re seeing the majority of their team members chowing down on toxic junk and rinsing it down with more toxic junk! Not the recipe for athletic prowess… or health in general.

So, they asked me to come in and give my basic Nutrition talk – focused on the core principles of what truly creates health, how we get sick, the essential nutritional ingredients that serve as the building blocks for optimal health, function and performance, and the leading nutritional offfenders to be aware of. The entire presentation is laced with simple, gradual, comfortable strategies and implementation tips in order to make these profound nutritional improvements come to fruition.

This message was sent home ahead of time in an email to the parents of 42 members of the teams. The parents were asked to be in attendance, as well as the team members. After all, why would I give a Nutrition talk, that’s 60% about implementation of principles, to a group of 6 – 15 year-olds… who aren’t yet the ones responsible for meal planning, shopping and meal preparation?

I LOVE talking to kids about the core principles of nutrition, fitness, exercise, mindset… health. BUT, they need the decision-maker present in order for any of the principles to be put to action. I’m happy to know that there are several dozen kids in our community who now have a more scientifically accurate and current explanation for how we stay healthy and how we get sick. But that’s just not enough.

So, guess how many parents were in attendance?

Three.

Out of approximately 35 kids present that night, only THREE parents showed up.

Actually, they didn’t even “show up”. The coaches went out to the stands and pulled them off their seats and into the presentation room. So, I ended up speaking to 3 parents and a handful of coaches. Coaches are not the ones shopping for these kids. Coaches are not the ones handing out money for the kids to spend on snacks while at gymnastics (or anywhere else).

I needed parents there in order to TRULY help these kids.

By the way, I tip my hat to the training center for being proactive and dedicated enough to bring in an expert (with accurate information!) in an attempt to improve the lives of these kids. I wish more facilities, including schools, would do this on a regular basis.

My question is this: Why do you think more parents weren’t there? The talk took place in the evening… after the majority of people are finished with their work day. It took place during the regular practice time for these kids – I wasn’t asking anyone to come to the gym at any irregular time in their schedule – they already had to be there, at least to pick up their child. It was only an hour long. The weather was fine. There was no major event happening in town. The presentation was free.

If you had your child’s coaches (teachers, etc.) asking YOU, the child’s parent, to attend a very important (free) presentation being given by an educated, experienced individual with advanced training and certification in that given area, regarding your child’s current and future health, function and performance… what would YOU do? The parents were asked to attend an educational presentation about Nutrition for their kids. Simple.

What more information would you need to see in order to attend? What more incentive would you need? How could the importance of this topic be emphasized in an urgent and intense enough manner to inspire parents to put in the time for the sake of their kids?

Just curious…

Dr. Mom Online

Common sense health tips, nutrition information, and exercise secrets from an experienced mom and doctor, specializing in optimal health & wellness!

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