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Childhood Obesity: Not Just a “FAT” or “LAZY” Problem
By Dr. Helen Thomas, D.C. | August 15, 2008
Revealed in this week’s issue…
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The Surprising TRUTH About Childhood Obesity: (Hint: check out the title of this post!) |
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Dosha, Dosha, Dosha: The Ayurvedic secret weapon against the battle of the bulge… |
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“My Child’s Dosha is _________”: A handy list of dosha characteristics to pinpoint your child’s predominant dosha… |
Last week, I wrote to you about the dangers of using Statin drugs to lower cholesterol in high-risk children (”The Answer to Childhood Obesity? Ayurveda! NOT Statin Drugs“), and because I’m devoted to helping our children achieve balance and health in their lives, this week, I’m continuing my three-part series on the topic of childhood obesity.
CHILDHOOD OBESITY IS NOT JUST A “FAT” OR “LAZY” PROBLEM!
I’ve encountered so many people who look at an overweight child and immediately begin pointing fingers at them, labeling them as “fat” or “lazy.” Then they turn to the parents and accuse them of letting their children eat too much junk food or of not encouraging their children to be more active. What better example of this stereotype is there than the infamous glutton “Augustus Gloop” and his mother, a woman who proudly supports his overeating, in the popular Willy Wonka movies?
AUGUSTUS GLOOP AND OTHER OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN NEED TO HAVE THEIR DOSHAS CHECKED!
Even the most active children with proactive parents can struggle in the fight to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Rather than shame children or stuff them with “diet” foods (or worse, drugs and chemicals), we should employ safe, natural Ayurvedic methods to gently guide them toward a healthier lifestyle.
The first step on this path is determining your child’s dosha.
“DOSHA” WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S GOVERNING LIFE FORCE?
A “dosha” - as many of you already know - is a Sanskrit word translated as “governing principle.” Everything in nature is composed of the five glorious elements of air (known as “Ant” in Ayurveda), space, fire, water, and earth. Combinations of these elements with three forces (doshas) to keep them in the right relationship with each other, dictate all functions of the body, mind and universal consciousness. There are three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha, and knowing which dosha is predominant in your child will give you a more effective way of responding to his or her physical, nutritional, spiritual and emotional needs.
Here’s a quick and handy list you can use to determine which dosha your beautiful and unique child possesses:
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THE VATA CHILD:
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THE PITTA CHILD:
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THE KAPHA CHILD:
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NOW YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD’S DOSHA. THE NEXT STEP?
DIAGNOSE THEIR WEIGHT PROBLEM!
Through simple observations and a little note-taking, you can start to diagnose the type of weight problem your child has. Just take a look at their beautiful faces, paying close attention to their ears and throat (if you’re not sure, ASK ME! I’ll be taking all of your questions at my upcoming tele-seminar on Ayurvedic Answers to Getting Our Children Healthy! The details are at the bottom of this post!)
When observing your child, answer the following questions:
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Their skin: What color is it? Any discolorations or growths?
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Their throats: Feel any lumps?
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Their eyes: The whites not-so-white? Growths on the eyelids or bags under the eyes? Do they blink a lot?
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Their chest, arms, hands and fingers: Notice any distinct changes?
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Their body frame: Small, medium, or large? What’s their form and constitution? How do they stand and walk?
These are just a few of the things you should be looking for. And as far as finding solutions to weight problems, start observing their lips, tongue, palpate abdomen, urine, feces, and speech patterns as well. And don’t forget that I’ll go into much more detail during my Ayurvedic Answers to Getting Our Children Healthy tele-seminar!
Ayurveda teaches that by monitoring all of these aspects, parents and their Ayurvedic doctors can determine exactly what steps need to be taken to ensure the health, balance and well-being of our children.
Remember: this is more than just a question of being “fat” or “lazy” - I hate those labels and the consequences of placing them on a child. Too often, we turn to the “easy” answers of deprivation, shaming and pharmaceuticals that not only don’t seem to be working, they set our children up for a lifetime of struggle.
The easiest answer to childhood obesity is also the healthiest and safest: Ayurveda! Take your child’s health into your own daily Ayurvedic practices and see how they bloom and grow into balanced and happy individuals!
P.S. Please feel free to send this onto all of your friends with children. Weight management for ALL children is a prevention wellness life path!
P.P.S. THE DOCTORS ARE IN!
Announcing Dr. Helen’s brand new tele-seminar Ayurvedic Answers to Getting Our Children Healthy! Childhood obesity is a national epidemic, but there is an answer - and it’s NOT pharmaceuticals, fad diets, or shame and deprivation. AYURVEDA is the key to managing the weight of your child! It’s gentle, loving, safe and natural - all the things you want for your child…and it’s as close as Mama’s spice rack!
The Ayurvedic Answers to Getting Our Children Healthy! tele-seminar will be held on August 26th, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time/8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This phenomenal event is more than just valuable advice and tips: it’s an opportunity for YOU to ask YOUR QUESTIONS! Dr. Helen and Dr. Craig will be there, ready and willing to share their vast knowledge on the ancient science of Ayurveda.
The information being presented and the live-and-direct insights and Q&A with Dr. Helen and Dr. Craig could cost you $$$$ in books, seminars and products, but we’re offering you a special rate, loyal Friends of Ayurveda, and a minimal cost of only $22.95.
Your health and the health of your child are WORTH it!
Ordering is safe and easy!
(Brought to you by Michelle Y. Drake and The Cove Group, Inc.)
To sign up, simply click here to start the purchase process.
Hope to ”hear” you there!
Topics: Ayurveda and Children, Ayurveda and Weight Loss |
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