Southerners love a good story. Whether we're sharing a tale with our children or escaping the world in the pages of a novel, stories are a big part of our lives. Now a new study from Duke University suggests that reading may be able to help curb childhood obesity.
"The research is the first 'to show a relationship between reading and making positive, healthy lifestyle changes,' said study author Alexandra C. Russell, a fourth-year medical student at Duke University School of Medicine."
For the study, researchers gave 31 "severely overweight" girls a book called "Lake Rescue," a fictional account of a girl who struggles with her weight during an outdoor outing with friends, and in the end gains self-esteem and learns about healthy physical activity.
The girls who read the book (ages 9-13, each a participant in a weight-loss program) gained better control of their weight. It should be noted that these girls also lost weight by participating in a program designed to teach healthy behaviors to overweight children.
More research needs to be done, but this study speaks to the power of words when teaching kids the importance of healthy choices.
For tips on making reading a part of your family's routine, check out this Southern Living story. From the story:
Healthy Benefits
• Reading to young children at least three times a week increases the likelihood that their reading scores will be in the top 25%.
• Turn off the TV, and turn on togetherness by setting aside a family reading time each week.
• Communication is important. Research shows that kids who hear their family’s stories do better academically and make better choices when confronted with temptation.
Related Posts:
