I love Memorial Day for so many different reasons. It gives us a dedicated day to remember those that gave their lives while serving our country. We have the opportunity to share our feeling, pride, respect and honor for those that gave it all.
How fitting is it that while celebrating our fallen soldiers, we are also celebrating the beginning of summer. The days where we are free to enjoy the sand between our toes, splashing around in the pool, and juicy watermelon during a summer picnic. It’s because of our soldiers that we have the freedom to enjoy such carefree and joy filled weeks during the time while school is out.
Like other holidays, I encourage you to use Memorial Day as another opportunity to promote healthy behaviors within your family. Look for ways to put a healthy spin on your favorite picnic foods. Revel in the delicious in-season fruits and vegetables. Initiate a backyard family game of kickball, tag, or catch. Bring out the sprinkler or the chalk and have kids create their own games in your driveway or yard. With the warm weather and the long days, the possibilities are almost endless.
And keep this is mind as we are talking about healthy behaviors during our Memorial Day festivities; excessive weight and body fat are now the number one reason potential new recruits are disqualified from serving in the military. With nearly one-quarter of applicants disqualified for this reason each year, obesity is officially our top national security threat. Military leaders emphasize that today’s high levels of obesity among children present challenges in recruiting tomorrow’s military.
So, in a sense, by ensuring your child has healthy role models, access to healthy food, and plenty of opportunities to be physically active this Memorial Day, you are doing your part to help guarantee our country has the best, brightest, and healthiest military possible.
Enjoy that Memorial Day Family Fun!
To
day we feature OWG guest blogger and childhood obesity consultant, Melodie Griffin. Melodie’s passion lies in the prevention of childhood obesity through the school and early learning settings. All programs Melodie promotes are fully approved by her home based lab rats, five year old son, Howie, and two year old daughter, Hope. You can connect with Melodie on her Facebook page, WellConnect LLC.
