Lets get our children outside, enjoying nature and keeping fit

Do we blame societies nervousness, parents busy schedules, or the rise of technology? Im one for taking my dog for a walk first thing in the morning. One reason is because he needs exercise and it is my responsibility that he gets it. But also, I benefit from the outdoors; it clears the cobwebs, refreshes me and sets me in good stead for a productive day. Not only this but long term its keeping me active, fit and exercised aswell. With lots of parks, fields, greens, lakes and farms around me I feel very privalliged. But will our children grow to love the outdoors like I do?
Do we have a problem where our children are playing inside on computers and watching tv, instead of exploring and taking fun adventures outside? Will this have an impact on their health for the future? Do our children get the exercise they need? Is it a result of urbonised, electronic homes? Or due to parents now creating a risk-adversed world with nature-deficit disorders all round?With so many questions I can only show you my research from the experts.
Consultant Tim Gill, author of the report Sowing the Seeds: Reconnecting London's Children with Nature, "The way I unpack the idea is that regular contact with nature is part of a balanced diet of childhood experiences.
"If children do not have those experiences then they are not going to thrive to the same degree as if they did," he added.
"They are also likely to grow up not caring about the world around them; while it is not a clinical condition, it should be something that worries us." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16963807

The National Trust chief executive Dame Fiona said "Children are missing out on the sheer joy and physical and mental well-being of being able to play outside and experience nature in all its messiness.
"It's partly technology and it's partly a sort of nervousness. The freedom for children to roam unsupervised has shrunk by 90% since the 1970s.
"The world is a different place and people have become very anxious about the risks - real or perceived." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17257562

Health services are starting to take notice and organisations are now helping to get our children outside, exercising and away from the computer screens . A few to take a look at are listed below.
Play England http://www.playengland.org.uk/ - an organisation that focuses on giving children access to free play areas - has funding from Natural England to run a programme to re-engage children with the natural world. "Fundamentally, we believe that kids should be outside playing for a good proportion of the day because it is how you can stay happy, less stressed but it is also good in a whole range of ways," said Play England director Cath Prisk However, she added: "Research we carried out last year showed that parents think taking their kids to the park is something you do as a treat instead of something you do everyday.” . http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16963807
Change for life for children http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/up-and-about.aspx “Activity is good for kids' health. It raises their heartbeats and helps pump blood around their bodies. It’s like a mini workout for their lungs and muscles! It also decreases their chances of getting life-threatening diseases. A good dose of fresh air and exercise also helps us all sleep better. So tiring out kids with activity every day will help them nod off at a good hour and make them feel alert for the next day.”

Transform my patch charity, with Denise Van Outen and pother celebrities involved in a national competition to improve children’s playgrounds and parks in different areas. http://www.transformyourpatch.com/projects

With the olympics just around the corner we have many organisations and websites also getting children fit and active. Youth Sport Trust, Youth Ambassador Britain , Get Set London
I will be looking more into this issue and will keep blogs coming as we get closer to the olympics – so watch this space.

Who is to blame for the urgent threat of eating disorders on our children?

There is an urgent need for services to recognise and treat eating disorders in young children, say experts. So I call for a new ethical editorial code with the promotion of diverse body shapes within the media, an increased understanding of eating disorders and knowledge of treatments from our GPs and more support services aimed at younger children. 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. It is effecting our children and we must act now!!

According to BBC News. “The study of UK and Irish data suggests three in every 100,000 children under the age of 13 have an eating disorder, including children as young as six.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12920551 Shockingly there has been an 80% rise in the number of young girls admitted to hospital with anorexia in England over the last decade. Who do we blame? Parents?Media?GPs?

It has been suggested in another News Report that GPs are failing on treating and supporting those with eating disorders “Based on a survey of 1,500 people with eating disorders, the report found many thought their GP lacked knowledge about treatments, or how to access them.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7905223.stm If our own doctors don’t understand or support our children who are suffering with eating disorders where can our children turn to?

Psychiatrists at the Royal College of Psychiatry blame Media for our children’s eating disorders. Their view is that the media promotes unhealthy body images and glamourising eating disorders. Dr Adrienne Key from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Eating Disorders Section said "Although biological and genetic factors play an important role in the development of these disorders, psychological and social factors are also significant…..That's why we are calling on the media to take greater responsibility for the messages it sends out." Magazines, Celebrities , TV programmes, Adverts, all include underweight models, often airbrushed, making children feel insecure about themselves and gives them low selfesteems. Can we blame the models? The Celebrities? Or are they themselves under the same sad pressure of getting to the size zero ‘media portrayed perfection’?

So I’ve discussed the problem, pointed my fingers at those to blame but lets look for help.

The main support groups I found for eating disorders, were aimed at adolescents and not young children. Dr Dasha Nicholls, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said there were huge developmental differences between children and adolescents and adults. "Our study shows there is an urgent need to consider the needs of children with eating disorders separately and not simply lower the age range of existing adolescent services." So we must take note from the expert, I’m in agreement. Where puberty can be the cause of low self esteem and eating disorders it is important to understand that we are talking about younger children with the same disorder. Simply lowering the age groups within these support services just wouldn’t be enough. We need to find services which specifically aim their help at younger children, after all we are talking about children as young as six!

Which brings me to the fabulous charity Beat. B-eat. (beating eating disorders) Beat’s vision is that eating disorders will be beaten. They aim to ; change the way everyone thinks and talks about eating disorders, improve the way services and treatment are provided and to help anyone believe that their eating disorder can be beaten Beat is great, they focus on challenging the stereotypes and stigma that people with eating disorders face. They are constantly campaigning for better services and treatment. They also provide information, support and encourage children to seek treatment and recovery. “Beat is the leading eating disorders charity in the UK and last year had direct contact with 250,000 people. In its 21st year the organisation campaigns to raise awareness, influence decision takers and offers information and support to those affected.” http://www.b-eat.co.uk/

Lets not forget that parents, carers, schools all have a responsibility to keep our children safe and healthy . There may not be many eating disorder organisations to help our children currently but there are other organisations that offer services to help boost children’s self esteem. That are confidence builders, that teach that we are all unique and that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That we should love ourselves for the strengths we do have and not punish ourselves for what others may perceive as weaknesses.

The Magic Sunglasses Project for example is an organization that gives children the tools to develop real practical self confidence. Provides the path and strategy for children to fulfil their potential. It also helps children discover they have the power to make choices in their lives. The over all message being that we all have true special and unique qualities. It teaches children to value themselves, have respect for others. It empowers children to be themselves , to develop confidently with a healthy self esteem. It supplys children with the skills to live happy successful lives and to live without the pressure of conforming to the issues that create eating disorders in the first instance! : )

Written by Kaley Herrick ,researcher of child development related to the creative arts.

Is it important that celebs like Gok Wan, help our troubled teens with self belief?

Many of us have negative opinions of today’s celebrtites. We have concerns for the effects their role model statuses have on our impressionable youths. For this reason , I stress that we be greatful for the fab celebs we do have out there. You now know my love of Mr Peter Andre but another celebrity on my list is the presenter, author and fashion stylist , Gok Wan. He has helped the nation to be brave and bare their all. He is now focusing on the need to help our teens to be confident , to live with self belief and have a healthy self esteem to be encouraged to reach their potentials and live fulfilled , happy lives. Gok Wans new show Goks Teens: The naked truth, gives troubled teens the advice, confidence and self-belief they need to tackle their issues and anxieties. Fantastic in my opinion…. But here’s what the press have to say about it:

‘The programme is an eye-opener for the rest of us – and humbling too, because it highlights exactly what families such as the Watson’s have to contend with.’ Jenny Johnston, Daily Mail (Weekend)

‘Unmissable TV for parents and teens alike.’ Bella

‘In this new series, the modern-day Mr Motivator helps teenagers tackle issues such as body dysmorphia and eating disorders…Bravo, Gok, on another inspiring series! *****’ RM, TV Times Magazine

‘The exploration of various body confidence issues is a thoroughly well-intentioned piece of TV.’ Phil Harrison, Time Out

Gok also asked some other celebrity mates about their teenage years and to share their tips for teens today for his programme , so we can be positive that there are many celebrities out there who would also be good role models for our children. Included in the programme is;Sara cox (broadcaster), Stephanie davis (hollyoaks) Mica Paris (singer) Mann (rapper) Matthew Horne (gavina nd Stacey) Joe Calzaghe (boxer) Jody Cundy (paralympian) Jo Brand (comedian) Jemma Kid (makeup artist) Gorden Ramsey (chef) Fearne Cotton (presenter) Duncan James (singer) Catherine Tate (comedien) Ben Cohen (rugby player) Alesha Dixon (presenter)

So all in favour of Gok Wan say “ai” yes, Teenagers are at a fundamental age, and its fantastic what Gok Wan is doing – using his celebrity status for a great cause. However do you think that these positive affirmations would be much more beneficial if tackled at an earlier age, teenage life is hard enough perhaps if this was dealt with before this age, there will be so much more potential for our teens. So I suggest that we build children’s confidences as toddlers, babies even… perhaps with music/dance/play classes, to socialise and interact with others and explore themselves, their personal enjoyments and talents. Then perhaps at primary age our children could take part in interactive workshops, read stories , join confidence building clubs etc to improve self esteem and self respect. Projects like my favourite The Magic Sunglasses Project could be used. www.themagicsunglasses.com

With this article I leave you with this thought…..

Gok wan is doing a fantastic job, and we should be thankful that there are some celebrities that make perfect role models out there right now…but lets take a little responsibility for empowering our children to live confidently with a self esteem that allows for; self belief , respect for themselves and sensitivity for others and their individualities. Lets tackle these problems before they can become issues… lets help our own babies/toddlers/children before they reach the vulnerable and impressionable teenage years!!!

Can the inspirational Gok Wan help our children without the support of the government?

Multi award winning UK TV presenter and highly acclaimed fashion stylist Gok Wan has “…made his mark by giving women the confidence to appreciate their bodies, whatever their size and encouraged women whatever their shape and size to strip for the nation!” http://www.gokwan.com/about-gok/
Most importantly, through his much loved programme How To Look Good Naked , he has inspired women to battle with low self esteem and to live happy healthy and confident lives. Gok Wan has successfully been the driving force for thousand of women all over the country to change their lives and feel amazing in their own natural bodies. We now have women who were unhappy , depressed , unhealthy, scared with deep emotional issues who now believe that we are all individual, we are all beautiful and we all deserve to feel confident with our natural bodies. For bringing this powerful message to the nation , Gok we salute you!! But now we plead that Gok Wan can be able to share this powerful and crucial message to our children!
Being such an amazing instituation Gok Wan was on this case, on the case to help children discover that they are beautiful, to appreciate their natural beauties. In fact in 2009 Gok Wan launched the campaign to get body confidence classes on the National Curriculum. With a huge achievement of 50,000 signatures it still wasn’t implemented. Thankfully Gok hasn’t given up and is re-launching his campaign. Gok Wan is planning to lobby MPs outside of Parliament to get body confidence taught on the national curriculum as part of the PSHE in all the schools. To date, Michael Gove - who is the new Minister for Education - won't see him! With such a great campaign we really should urge the government to back him. Gok Wan really is an inspiration, he has helped women everywhere , now’s the time to enable him to help our children. I think we can all relate to this Gok Wans statement "What I would say is, if you believe that you have ever looked in the mirror and you have never liked what you're looking at and if you've ever felt that you are not as beautiful as you could be, then back this campaign because everyone is very beautiful.” http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a318397/gok-wan-goks-teens-the-naked-truth.html
Gok Wan calls this low self esteem and body conscious attitude in children today as a "body hatred epidemic" When asked who is to blame Gok replies
"I think the problem lies in so many different areas. It's so hard to pinpoint because if we could just find one area, we could probably do something about it. But I think it's a combination of the media - we need to be more positive about it, I think it's about education of families as well, education of schools as well. I think it's in every single direction. Body dysmorphia has been carried down over the years and now it's been passed to the next generation and we need to do something about it." http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a318397/gok-wan-goks-teens-the-naked-truth.html
So the government , namely Michael Gove wouldnt listen, so Gok then progressed from the popular How to Look good Naked, to Gok’s Teens:The Naked Truth. Through which 12 teenagers lives are followed. In the words of Gok “ Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth is a three-part series for Channel 4 where I draw on my personal experience to help give teenagers the advice, confidence and self belief they need to tackle their issues and anxieties” http://www.gokwan.com/gok-on-tv/
Not only does Gok Wan spend time empowering women with his TV programmes, lobby Mps , inspire our teens he also has many other things to offer us,a few of which detailed below.
With his fabulous glasses collection in Specsavers, Gok Wan is banishing hiding behind your specs! Helping us spectacle wearers look and feel fantastic with his strong, sexy, glamorous range of glasses. Stating that your ‘outfit starts with your glasses’ this fashion stylist is helping us wear spectacles with confidence. http://www.specsavers.co.uk/gok-wan/
Then there’s Gok Wan Gorgeous Collection in Boots with his luxury bath range, helping women feel confident and able to indulge in making themselves feel and look great. The Boots website describes Goks products as “Flamboyant and sophisticated, the new Gorgeous by Gok range is packed with sassy, seductive products, designed to make every woman look and feel gorgeous.” We really do have a lot to be thankful for Mr Wan. http://www.boots.com/en/Gorgeous-by-Gok_1017072/
Gok Wans fabulous lingerie and shapewear collection, designed for Simply Yours, designed to make women feel sexy and confident without the crazy diet binges and drastic plastic surgery options. “I know how much you care about looking gorgeous and feeling even sexier and that's why I've designed this underwear range for Simply Yours that supports you, holds you in and oozes sex appeal. Finally! Support underwear you can flaunt!” Ok so underwear and lingerie isn’t the answer for children and teens but I’m sure Gok Wan has some great ideas and products in mind to help children use clothes and accessories to feel good so they don’t look to drastic other options like eating disorders etc. http://www.gokwan.com/get-gokked/
Then there’s Gok’s TU at Sainsbury range. Making fashion accessible to everyone. Even if they cannot afford designer clothes. In the mirror Gok Wan was quoted for saying “With these clothes, I want women to flirt, flaunt and celebrate their curves. I've spent the last few months working through every detail and believe we've delivered attainable and affordable design like never before. I want to make you feel confident, stylish and positive about your bodies, whatever your budget, size or shape”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/07/20/how-40-gok-wan-dress-transformed-mirror-girl-ruki-sayid-s-figure-115875-23282658/ Gok Wan doesnt care for the elitism in the industry but does care about people and by making clothes accessible to everyone is great!

Look out for ‘Wan way of life’ and his pledge to give something back by encouraging a nation to shed their body conscious inhibitions because we must listen and encourage our children to have the same views. http://www.dare2mag.com/interview/2011/gok-wan/ With this amazing man influencing and caring for the UK women , to empower and inspire them with such an amazing success rate, we are mad to not allow him to drive his campaign to allow these powerful messages to be adapted for children !