In a world ruled by technology, children are often distracted by screens, leaving little to no time spent on physical activities. This growing trend has led to a rise in childhood obesity and further health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other long-term health issues.
Reduced physical activities and a sedentary lifestyle can also heavily impact children’s mental health by increasing amounts of stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The lack of physical activities takes away the natural mood-boosting benefits attained through playing, running, and other exercises. Ultimately, all the mental health struggles and obesity pull children into an unhealthy loop that often persists into adulthood.
My name is Bahar, and I’m a fitness coach with more than 10 years of experience working as a kid’s fitness trainer in Dubai. As a fitness specialist, I’m driven by my passion for helping children discover the joy of movement, improve their physical health, and break unhealthy patterns that lead to obesity and other health conditions. Through personalized programs and physical activities, I’ve made it my mission to help children lead healthier lives.
As an experienced personal trainer in Dubai involved with kids’ fitness programs, I’ve observed and identified seven ways for children to overcome obesity:
1. Interactive Games
I’ve always found interactive games a great way to grab children’s attention. My list of interactive games involves ‘nutrition bingo,’ where kids match the foods with their appropriate nutrient benefits; ‘exercise dice,’ where one die lists different exercises; ‘healthy plate puzzles,’ where kids work on using cutouts of foods to build their plates of healthy diets. These games can keep children engaged and comprehend the actions of their choices. I assure you that combining education and entertainment can help children attain better results in the long run.
2. Healthy Habit Jar
The healthy habit jar is one of my favorite tricks, and it has always worked! The process involves filling a jar with small slips of paper that consist of healthy activities such as a 5-minute fresh air break, 10-minute walk, yoga session, eating a new salad, etcetera. The element of surprise can make it more exciting for children and keep them engaged. These small steps build consistency over time, helping children build healthy habits. I encourage the parents to be involved in the process as well, which further influences children.
3. Community Garden Projects
Community gardening is one of the most rewarding activities on my list; it involves children in the hands-on experience of digging, watering, and planting. Through this process, I teach children the importance of vegetables and fruits – how they grow – from planting to harvesting, their specific nutritional values, how they keep us strong, boost our immune systems, and more. Gardening also encourages physical activities, which helps foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment.
4. Obstacle – Fitness Courses
Another activity that I’ve seen children adore and enjoy is the obstacle course. Obstacle courses are a great opportunity for problem-solving and engaging in physical activity. Using simple and available objects such as chairs, tables, cones, and ropes, I work on creating a safe space for children to jump, crawl, climb, and balance. The best part is that these courses can be set up indoors or outdoors! Additionally, adding themes to the obstacle course, such as treasure hunt, capture the flag, etc., makes it more enticing for the children. This activity not only helps in improving coordination, puzzle-solving skills, and team-building skills.
5. Dance Workouts
Dancing is one of the best ways to get children moving. Being a fitness trainer in Dubai, I try to keep regular dance sessions whenever possible. Kids love dancing; it’s more fun when they make their own dance steps and moves. I’ve never seen a fun and energetic way to burn calories, as dancing never feels like exercise, especially for children. I always encourage parents to host family dance parties, which is a great way to bond and exercise together. It is rewarding to see everyone laughing and happy by the end of a session. Additionally, practicing dancing from a young age helps children gain confidence and improve their self-esteem.
6. Backyard Sport Events
I regularly organize backyard Olympics, which involve events such as sack races, water balloon challenges, tug of war, balloon volleyball, and other simple but fun games. Each child gets to participate and win medals. No matter how small a win is, we all make sure that each and every win is celebrated. I make sure to use this sporty opportunity to make children understand the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.
7. Proper Nutrition
The hardest and most challenging task when it comes to being a kid’s fitness trainer is helping children understand the importance of proper nutrition in addition to physical activities. I focus on making nutrition fun and interactive through activities such as ‘the rainbow plate challenge’ – where I encourage children to include colorful, healthy foods in their diet and explain their nutritional aspects. By gamifying appropriate diets, children are more excited about eating healthy foods, which can help them in the long run.
Working with the Right Fitness Trainer for Children
I have been working with Fitness Supreme for almost 10 years to help children attain healthy goals. At Fitness Supreme, we are committed to making a lasting difference in children’s health by offering engaging and effective fitness programs designed to combat childhood obesity. Our expert trainers, led by Bahar, use a combination of interactive games, fitness challenges, and nutrition education to keep children active, healthy, and motivated. We believe in building a strong foundation for children’s physical and mental well-being by making fitness fun, engaging, and accessible.
Whether you’re looking for a kids fitness trainer in Dubai or a personal trainer in Dubai, Fitness Supreme is here to guide them every step of the way. Join us in creating a healthier, happier future for your child!
