Parents as role models for a healthy lifestyle

Several organisations have decided to do something about one of the major problems in Australia: physical inactivity. With the help of a number of former elite athletes including Ron Barassi and Shane Gould they aim to spread the message of the importance of exercise to kids all around the country.

Physical inactivity has been widely identified as among the most important health issues in Australia.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that the combination of an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity is associated with no less than 30 of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases known to man (along with major risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood cholesterol).

Leading scientists have recently coined the term ‘Sedentary Death Syndrome’ to cover a range of diseases that reflect health conditions caused or exacerbated by a lack of adequate physical activity – diseases that are directly responsible for increasing rates of premature morbidity and mortality.

In Australia, outside the health specific non-profit groups (such as The Heart Research Institute, Diabetes Australia, etc.) several organisations have decided to do something about the problem. One is Bluearth Foundation which has enlisted the help of a number of former elite athletes including Ron Barassi and Shane Gould to spread the message of the importance of physical activity to kids all around the country.

A healthy life starts from home

The Foundation has implemented physical activity programs in more than 700 primary schools across Australia. Over 45,000 students have so far participated in sessions and some 1,300 teachers have been professionally trained to continue the work of Bluearth Coaches. But where does the ethos of a healthy, active lifestyle begin? Undoubtedly at home.

Research has shown that children’s behaviour is learned mostly thorough the observation of others… so parents are in a prime position to influence their children’s habits and play a vital role in shaping their future healthy habits. We need to be healthy role models for our kids.

Many of us grew up with mums and dads who played tennis or netball or some other organised sport… or swam or surfed or ran regularly… and we assumed this was the norm and so got into the same healthy activities ourselves. But times changed… we lead a more hectic life these days. As a nation we’re working longer hours and spending less time at home. We struggle to get that all-important work-life balance anywhere near right. And our kids are suffering as a result.

We need to change this pattern and influence our children’s activity levels by providing opportunities, support and encouragment for them to play sport... and we need to once more become role models ourselves.

Physical activity should be part of our own daily routine – it’s good for us and good for our families. If your kids spend too much time in front of the TV or computer screen and aren’t in the habit of being active, it’s up to you to show them how to make the changes they need to, before they head down an inexorable path that leads to ill health and worse.

Your computer becomes a connection to nature

Another organisation tackling this side of the problem is DoubleDrummer.com - a new online resource that helps parents to become good role models in this important area. Currently a sophisticated search engine connecting people through sport and healthy activities, its aim is to become a true social networking community… (sort of like Facebook in a tracksuit!).

But unlike all those sites (Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, etc.) that prosper by keeping people inactive in front of their P.C screens for as long as possible, Double Drummer is all about using the technology to connect people, who then get together to have fun being active and healthy ‘out of site’. There are over 587 sports and activities listed on Double Drummer and though new, the site has already attracted members from every state in Australia looking to hook up and get active.

By doing so, they not only get healthier themselves and lessen their chances of falling victim to heart disease, diabetes and more, they also become healthy role models for their children who in turn will provide the right example for the next generation. And at the same time we help the environment not overeating, choosing better quality food and dedicating more time to spend outside in harmony with nature.