It has been estimated that as many as twenty five percent of American children under the age of nineteen are currently obese. If you’re not up to date on exactly what the term “obese” means, most doctors define obesity as someone who is twenty percent over their ideal weight. When you factor in the number of children who are also, merely, overweight, that number skyrockets up to something more like thirty four percent of all American children. Obviously, obesity is major health problem in the United States.
There are two ways to combat this crisis, change our children’s eating habits; and get them outside, off the couch, and exercising. One of the best ways to get children exercising is by getting them involved in youth sports. But if your child hasn’t played organized sports before, you may be wondering which sport is best for them? Before getting them enrolled in a sport you think they’ll like, take a few minutes and think about whether that sport is a good fit for them.
Baseball is the all American sport and it’s a great choice for kids who haven’t played organized sports before. This sport doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment, and is easy for beginners to pick up quickly. And, if you’ve got even a small yard at your home, it’s easy to set up baseball training aids such as a pitching net, or small batting cage.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing prep sports in the United States these days. On many campuses, lacrosse shorts and sticks are as common as baseball hats and gloves. Lacrosse is a fast paced sport that combines elements of soccer and hockey. Players wear some padding, and a helmet, but even with that protection, it’s still a pretty rough game. If your child is bothered by physical contact, this may not be the sport for them.
Lacrosse equipment, like hockey equipment, can get very expensive. But it is possible to pick up name brand gear from companies like Warrior Lacrosse, STX and Nike, on Craigslist or league equipment swaps.
Don’t be afraid to let your child try out a few different youth sports until they find one that is a good fit. If organized sports aren’t working out, encourage them to ride a bicycle, or some other solo sport. As long as your child is outside exercising, and off of the couch, you’re ahead of the game.
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