Key Takeaways
- Weight gain in children is influenced by multiple lifestyle, dietary, and activity-related factors.
- Regular, engaging exercise supports both physical health and emotional well-being.
- Gym-based activities improve fitness, coordination, and self-esteem in young learners.
Childhood obesity has become a growing concern in Singapore over the past two decades. From long school hours to fast food on-the-go, many children face an environment that encourages sitting more and moving less. The good news is that you as a parent can make a big difference by helping your children adopt an active lifestyle. However, in order to do so, it is important to first understand the causes of childhood obesity and the steps that you—and your children—can take to combat or prevent it.
Common Causes of Childhood Obesity
1. Inactivity and Excessive Screen Time
In many Singaporean households, children spend more hours indoors than outdoors. With mobile games, streaming services, and social media, daily movement often takes a back seat. This lack of physical activity means fewer calories burned, and over time, it can contribute significantly to childhood obesity.
2. Poor Eating Habits
When your child is juggling a busy schedule, they may turn to quick meals and packaged snacks as a convenient way to sustain themselves. Unfortunately, diets that are high in sugar, fried food, and processed snacks can lead to excess calorie intake. For instance, sugary drinks like bubble tea and sodas have become an increasingly frequent treat for children, further adding to the problem.
3. Lack of Physical Education or Structured Activity
While casual playtimes are valuable, they may not always be enough to build endurance or strength. Without structured physical activity like child fitness programmes or gym classes for kids, children may not achieve the consistency or intensity needed to maintain a healthy weight.
How Gym-Based Programmes Help Combat Obesity
Children’s gym classes can be an effective, long-term approach to managing your child’s weight and improving their overall health. These lessons provide a safe, fun, and consistent way for children to stay active, something that can be hard to achieve with unplanned play alone.
1. Promotes Regular Exercise
A set schedule for gym sessions ensures that children move multiple times a week. These sessions often include a mix of cardio, balance, coordination, and strength work. This regularity keeps metabolism active and helps prevent the sedentary lifestyle that fuels childhood obesity.
2. Encourages Full-Body Engagement
Gymnastics is a highly dynamic sport that involves jumping, balancing, climbing, swinging, and rolling—activities that engage multiple muscle groups at once. This translates to higher calorie burn, improved cardiovascular health, and stronger muscles, all of which are fundamental in supporting an active lifestyle for kids.
3. Builds Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility
As children make progress in gymnastics over time, they naturally develop better muscle tone, core stability, and overall fitness. Their stamina also improves, allowing them to enjoy more physical activities without tiring quickly. This is a vital step in keeping obesity at bay.
4. Improves Self-Esteem and Body Awareness
One often-overlooked aspect of child fitness programmes is the boost they give to a child’s self-image. As children become more agile and capable, they gain confidence in their abilities and are more likely to make healthier choices and guard against obesity.
Tackling childhood obesity requires more than just cutting down on unhealthy snacks. It is about creating a lifestyle that incorporates movement in a natural and enjoyable manner. This is where children’s gym classes can make this possible by combining fun with fitness, equipping children with the tools that they need to grow strong, healthy, and confident.
At BearyFun Gym, our gym classes for kids are designed to keep your child active, coordinated, and motivated. Also, with six well-equipped centres across Singapore, you will be able to find children’s gymnastics near you in highly accessible locations.
To find out more about our programmes and facilities, please contact us today.
