Since the Coronavirus was first getting widespread recognition in early 2020, it has had a profound impact on our lives. So far nearly a half million people have died in the United States and over twenty-five million people have contracted the virus. Many people required hospitalization and have recovered. Others had less severe symptoms and recovered at home. In addition to health concerns directly related to the virus, it has impacted us in many other ways.

While the virus has affected everyone in one way or another, it has had a big impact on children. Due to the Coronavirus children have seen their normal lives changed. Prior to March 2020, children would go to school, hang out with their friends, and enjoy indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Unfortunately, that has changed.

Now for many children they are learning remotely from home instead of going to class for some or all their classes. Also, because of the pandemic, gatherings with friends are not recommended and recreational activities have been either eliminated or cut back drastically. Because children have been staying home more and exercising less, parents are noticing a weight gain in children. So, what can parents do to help get the kids moving? Make sure they get up, get out and get moving.

With the children being at home more than before, they are spending more time in front of a computer screen than in a classroom or in a playground. This has created problems with children’s health. Weight gain in children, if unchecked, can lead to trouble as an adult such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These can lead to further problems with you kidney, heart, and other organs.

The first step to get your kids moving is to get them away from the computer or video game console. In between class sessions at home, get your kids up and move around. It could be as simple as doing a dance or even do a quick run or walk around the house. The important thing is to get more active and less reliant on computer usage. However, parents, make sure that your children attend remote classes and do all necessary classroom work on the computer. You do not want them to get into trouble!

Another way to maintain health in children is by watching what they eat. With the crazy times that the pandemic has brought, people do not always have the time to prepare healthy meals. Often, we rely on fast food, ready-made meals, and delivery pizza. While these foods can be tasty, they may not be the best for you or your children’s health. The nutritional value of these foods will not be sufficient to meet the needs of your child. This in addition to the lack of exercise, can lead to child obesity and poor health.

As parents we need to monitor the activity and eating habits of our children in order for them to have a healthy start in life. I have been collecting some interesting websites that deal with keeping your children healthy during the pandemic. I am sharing them with you in the hopes that it can help keep your children healthy!

• Child Obesity and Weight Problems – This helpful information from helpguide.org offers information about weight issues with children.
• Symptoms to Watch for Child Obesity – The Mayo Clinic provides information on symptoms for childhood obesity.
• The Pandemic and Child Obesity – Article which explains how the Coronavirus pandemic is contributing to weight issues.
• Children Need Exercise During Pandemic – Interesting article that provides reasons why children need exercise during the pandemic and offers some simple suggestions for parents.
• Exercising During the Pandemic – Useful source of information for parents and children’s on how they can exercise during the pandemic.