As fathers, we are called to lead your households. As parents, we are, or should be, the number one influence in our children’s lives. Nothing reminds me of this fact more than having my toddler straight up emulate my actions (I know it gets trickier the older they get, at least I am told). If there is a time for you as a man to look yourself in the mirror and evaluate what kind of impact you are having on your child, Father’s Day is that time! Maybe this Father’s Day is the perfect time to join the #LetUSBeGreat Challenge, sit down and have that tough conversation with you wife on how prioritizing physical activity is important to you and the FAMILY. Frankly, this type of self-reflection should occur more often, but if you need a built-in calendar reminder, FATHER’S DAY, says it ALL. There are many aspects of your child’s life you can endeavor to leave a positive impression but allow me to state the case for physical activity (I mean, this is Active-Dad.com after all).
Inadequate Physical Activity comes at a GREAT COST!
1.$117 Billion Dollars In Annual Health Care Costs
In the United States, nearly $117 billion dollars in annual healthcare costs stem from failure to meet levels of aerobic physical activity recommended in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. That is not couch cushion change folks! That is not your stash of “Throwaway Money”! Healthcare is paid for in a variety of different ways, but rest assured, even if you are insured, you are footing some of that bill.
Think of it in this scenario: Two dads each buy a plane ticket. Active-Dad is average in size, takes care of his health by regularly engaging in physical activity. Obese dad is, well, obese and does not take care of his health. Obese dad gets the middle seat (21B) on the plane next to Active-Dad who has the window seat (21A). In this scenario, I am sure you realize that Obese dad will unintentionally impact Active-Dad. Beyond this discomfort of Obese dad encroaching in on personal space of Active-Dad at window seat that you may be visualizing, there is a financial impact. See, the more obese passengers become, the more it costs to propel them through the air. The increase in fuel cost will be, without a doubt, passed on to the customer with increases in ticket prices. Take this same scenario and apply it to Healthcare costs. Sticking with obesity, the increases in the need to provide healthcare services, especially chronic obesity related issues, will be passed on to the consumer. We will all feel that discomfort.
Now think of these same figures, and think of the financial impact it has when obesity starts at childhood and exacerbates into adulthood (see number 3 below).
2. 10% Of All Premature Mortality
10% of all premature mortality stem from failure to meet levels of aerobic physical activity recommended in the Physical Activity Guidelines. Only 26% of men meet these recommendations despite the fact that they are readily achievable by most Americans.
For Active-Dads, physical activity helps prevent eight types of cancer (bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, stomach, and lung) and improve quality of life for cancer survivors; reduces the risk of dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), all-cause mortality, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and depression; and improves bone health and physical function.
Think of living long enough to be Active-GrandDAD or GreatGrandDAD! I already have plans on how I am going to pester my kids and grandkids in my old age. Dying prematurely will only make it easy for them. I am not seeing any negatives in decreasing my risks for premature mortality! I mean, but “WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER?!”
3. Childhood Obesity Rates Have Tripled Since The 1970s
I think this fact can stand on its own merits! Childhood Obesity Rates Have Tripled Since The 1970s. TRIPLED! These are not numbers to brag and boast about. I have seen it in my network of acquaintances and I have witnessed it in the small sampling of places I have lived. To have statistical evidence pointing to the widespread nature of how physical inactivity has negatively impacted our great nation, specifically OUR KIDS, is at the very least troubling. I have seen the dad that coddles instead of corrects, appease rather than educate. I have even seen the Active-Dad that applies the principles of a healthy lifestyle to himself and chose not to instill the same value in his child. I am not judging, parenting is not easy and there is no One-Size Fits All approach. However, this is clearly stating that we are losing the battle to SUGAR, societal pressures and PHYSICAL INACTIVITY!
4. Obesity Disqualifies Nearly One-Third of American Youth, Ages 17 To 24, From Military Service
Lack of physical activity is also a threat to national security! Obesity disqualifies nearly One-Third of American youth, ages 17 To 24, from military service. That is approximately 109 MILLION AMERICAN YOUTH TOO FAT TO SERVE! If your child is obese they cannot serve their country in any of the Uniformed Services of the United States. I will break it down for you. This means, the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps does not want them, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps does not want them, the Air Force does not want them, the Coast Guard does not want them, the Navy does not want them, and the Marines do not want them. If the previous three reasons did not get your blood boiling (which they should have), then this one better, or you should rethink a lot of things.
Prevention Through Physical Activity
All of this is PREVENTABLE if we engage in Physical Activity! This is not an overstatement. I urge you on this Father’s Day to: 1) Evaluate yourself, 2) Evaluate your span of influence and, 3) Evaluate your community. How are you doing? If you have number 1 squared away, how about number 2 or 3? What can you do to positively encourage them to engage in physical activity on a regular basis? It starts with US, one person at a time!
(Information adapted from the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Available at health.gov/PAGuidelines)