Hey kids, it’s OK to play. Fun, too

So now it's come to this: We have to teach preschoolers that it's good -- and fun -- to run and jump.

And, oh yes, we also must teach them to ask their parents if they can go out and play.

If we don't do those things, says University of Nevada, Las Vegas professor Monica Lounsbery, you can count on the percentage of children now considered overweight or obese -- it's now 1 out of 3 -- to grow even higher.

God help the USA.

When social scientists point to data that say today's kids probably won't live as long as their parents -- fat-fueled heart attacks, diabetes, liver and gall bladder problems tend to make someone kick the bucket early -- terrorists of the Osama bin Laden stripe are not discussed.

In essence, they quote the insight of comic strip character Pogo: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

It is us -- parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles -- who use the TV, computer or video game console as a baby sitter, who stuff kids with pizza, tasty chips and dips, sugary drinks and other junk food because it's an easy way to keep them in line.

Why bother taking the little ones to the park to run around or spend time bike-riding with them when you can keep them quiet with candy, cupcakes, french fries and video rentals? Why waste time on them when it's Miller Time?

With that ever-growing slice of Americana in mind, Lounsbery and her kinesiology students, young men and women interested in the scientific study of human movement, went to a preschool the other day trying to convince kids that it's healthy and fun to do something other than sit on their rear ends and stare at a screen.

They also told the children to make sure to ask their parents about going out to play.

"It's really sad you have to do this," said 21-year-old UNLV student Alex Wilson. "But today you really have to prod parents to get exercise for their children."

Guess what? It's not hard to sell 3- to 5-year-olds on being active.

You don't have to be a pediatrician to know that little ones love to run and jump. It's natural. They love to use their newfound motor skills, even giggling as they move because the motion they're in charge of feels so good. The truth is, you have to condition them, coerce them with videos and junk food, so they don't run and jump.

In other words, you have to engage in child abuse to keep kids from running around.

No, it's not the kind you'll get arrested for, but it's abuse just the same. Keep kids seated in front of a TV screen eating fast-food slop and you grow a diabetic heart attack waiting to happen.

Studies show that kids younger than 6 spend an average of two hours a day in front of a screen, mostly watching TV, DVDs or videos. Older kids and teens spend almost four hours a day. When computer use and video games are included, time in front of a screen increases to almost six hours a day.

The more they watch, the heavier they become.

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages any screen time for children younger than 2. It recommends no more than one to two hours in front of the screen for kids older than 2.

Whether children's weight problems will change anytime soon is doubtful. Remember, kids follow the example of their parents, and nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese.

Not only do a majority of American women look pregnant most of the time, so do a majority of American men.

Be that as it may, there may be some good news on the horizon.

Surveys taken of parents of preschoolers by the UNLV students found that there was a 10 percent increase in the children asking to go out to play after UNLV students had a session with them.

Granted, it's probably true some parents will have a good excuse for saying no.

Just as I have a good excuse for carrying 20 extra pounds.

Like Diana Nyad, I hope to one day do the freestyle from Cuba to Miami, and the extra weight is necessary to stay warm in frigid, shark-infested waters.

My wife, bless her heart, has promised to get me swimming lessons for Christmas.

Paul Harasim is the medical reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His column appears Mondays. Harasim can be reached at pharasim@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2908.