I read an article in today’s Kosmo about a 9yr old kid from India who weighs 75kg. Now I dont want to talk about her specific case but would like to focus on the general weight problems among kids and teens in Malaysia – its causes and what you as parents can do to help your kids!

What causes obesity among kids?

Times sure have changed from way back in the 80s when I was a lil boy. I remember spending so much time outdoors – climbing trees, playing sports, the sand box haha, the playground … well you get the idea. Video games were scarce and yeah a luxury.

Kids are clueless about nutrition. Parents, set the rules!

I didn’t know much about nutrition and like most kids, the green stuff on my dinner plate wasn’t too exciting. My mom played an important role to ensure that we ate balanced meals (most of the time). McDonald’s and other fast foods were rare treats. We were only allowed ice-cream and sweets over weekends and special occasions. She had rules! These rules became the foundation of my upbringing. Something that stays with me til today and is something I will do with my kids as well.

… We were only allowed ice-cream and sweets over weekends and special occasions …

Five Reasons Why Kids and Teens are Overweight

• 1. Quality of Life - The overall quality of life in Malaysia is on the rise. This leads to more rewards – more ice cream more sweets.
• 2. Parents are too busy - This is classic. Parents are too busy with their careers and hand over the role of day-care to maids. Problem is, maids are not in control. Most of the time, its the kids that will dictate and push the maids around.
• 3. Video Games and Internet - Well we are all aware on how kids no longer play outdoors and rather stay indoors playing video games or go online … and yeah, while playing, a glass of milo or chips are always near.
• 4. Our Education system - Physical education and extracurricular activities are a joke in Malaysia. They are often deemed irrelevant as books and exams take first priority.
• 5. Bad Role Models - This is all about the parents. Kids follow in the footsteps of their parents. If parents dont set guidelines and don’t look to healthy themselves, kids are likely to follow.

5 + 1 Ways to Combat Obesity Among Kids and Teens

The solution to every problem lies in its problems. Parents need to be aware and play an active role to the problem-solutions.

• 1. Quality of Life - An increase in quality of life doesn’t always need to result to more trips to the next buffet. If you have more money to splurge, why not take a vacation that involves outdoor activities? Go snorkeling, climb Mount Kinabalu or pick up new hobbies like salsa, biking etc.
• 2. Parents are too busy - You can’t have everything in life. You can’t focus all your attentions on your career and hope that by some miracle, your family life is taken care of. Its all about give and take. Parents need to set their priorities. Your children – your family – should be your priority. If it is not, your kids will suffer the consequences of your actions. That’s the honest truth.
• 3. Video Games and Internet - Ok sure, we can’t avoid these trends but we can control them and that is exactly where parents play in role in setting the guidelines. But hey, when you set a guideline, make sure you enforce it and stay firm. No video games during the week means just that! And if it is safe, get your kids to play outdoors. Make it a rule!
• 4. Our Education system - Unfortunately, we have no control over the current state of our education system. We do however control our own families. Sports play a vital role in developing your kid’s social skills and also teaches them about commitment, discipline and makes them competitive in life.
• 5. Bad Role Models – No one wants to be a negative role model to their own kids. Be aware of how your image reflects opon them. Think about the time when you were young and looked at your own parents. Taking good care of your health will instill a positive image in their minds.
• 6. Its never too late - No one likes change but its never too late to start. No matter how old your children are today, it is in your hands and yeah, it is your responsiblity to do what is best for them.

If you have kids or teens who are struggling with their weight, you can sign them up for a personal consultation session with me where we go through everything in detail.

Kevin Zahri

No related posts.

I have been fortunate enough to have met Alice Teoh, founder of Emma Lizs salons, during my recent fitness workshop a couple weeks back. Alice’s company have exclusive distribution rights to Skin Nutrition in Malaysia and wanted me to try out the products for some possible future collaborations.

About Skin Nutrition

Skin Nutrition is a revolutionary skin care brand leading the way in bio-active skin care, specializing in anti-aging, age reversal, and skin rejuvenation.

Developed in 2002 in the United States, the brand made its debut in Malaysia last June.

Its concept to skin and body wellness is treatment-based, addressing cellular inflammation internally and reversing surface-level ageing signs.

The brand is the brainchild of CEO Richard Purvis, who has a background in consumer goods, nutritional supplements and skincare products.

Featuring over 30 face, body and nutritional products, Skin Nutrition was developed by cosmetic scientist John Knowlton, who is also vice president of research and development of the company.

Skin Nutrition Products I am trying

Alice was so kind to let me choose products from their US website but she added others as well. So here’s what I got:

Food Supplements:
• Omega 3 Shake: This is a like a meal placement drink. Provides me with a balanced anytime meal. The banana-oat combination tastes great and is very filling. Been using it as an in-between or even a pre-workout drink.
• Omega 3 Anytime Snack Bar: This is a mini version of the shake. Carries less calories and protein than the shake but obviously more practical on the road. Brought a few with me whilst traveling to Johor this weekend. Again, taste is very rich, keeps my hunger in check and most importantly, it’s a healthy-high-fibre anytime snack.
• Alpha Lipic Acid: Also known as ALA, is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell in the body. It’s needed by the body to produce the energy for our body’s normal functions. Alpha lipoic acid converts glucose into energy. ALA is also an antioxidant, a substance that neutralizes potentially harmful chemicals called free radicals.
• Body Beautiful: It combines a unique blend of ingredients that promote beautiful skin, hair, and nails, burn stored fat, help fight cellulite, curb appetite, heighten energy levels, and combat free radicals.
• DMAE: This is a supplement not many know about. I personally familiarized myself with DMAE through weight training as it plays a role in improving muscle tone, weight management and yeah, anti-aging.

Skin Care:
• Cleansing Gel: Ok I am no expert when it comes to skin care but this would be your facial wash. This is the first step in cleansing my face.
• Toner: A clarifying toner infused with the anti-oxidant benefits to protect against free radicals, purify and soothe the skin, and ready it for the next step – moisture application.
• Revitalizing Serum: Essentially a moisturizer to give dull, tired, dry, lifeless, or stressed skin an immediate lift and boost of complexion radiance.

If you want to find out more about Skin Nutrition, check out their website.

Kevin Zahri

Related posts:

1. Leading Weight Loss Supplements Linked to Liver Damage

1. Pentingkan kualiti daripada kuantiti! Tidak perlu melakukan beratus-ratus sit-ups setiap hari! Satu ataupun dua sesi seminggu dengan latihan berkualiti sudah mencukupi. Don’t overtrain.

2. Untuk merangsangkan otot abs anda setiap sesi, pelbagaikan latihan abs! Gunakan latihan yang berbeza untuk latih abs daripada sudut yang berbeza. Bahagian abs termasuk, upper, mid, lower dan obliques.

3. Fokus kepada contraction otot abs semasa latihan! Make sure it’s your abs that is doing the work dan bukan bahagian otot yang lain (back, leher dll).

4. Fokus kepada pernafasan. Hembus nafas ketika “exertion” (ataupun ketika melakukan “crunch”). Ini akan membolehkan anda contract otot abs dengan sebaik mungkin.

5. Untuk sesi workout abs, lakukan 2-3 latihan yang berbeza. Sebagai panduan, stick to tiga set bagi setiap exercise dan 15-20 ulangan (reps) bagi setiap set!

6. Latihan abs yang terbaik tidak akan menolong anda untuk kempiskan perut selagi adanya lapisan lemak antara otot dan kulit!

7. Penjagaan makanan adalah mustahak untuk memiliki bahagian perut yang cantik! Elakkan makanan berminyak, garam. Minum banyak air dan pastikan anda mengamalkan diet yang seimbang.

8. Look after your calories. Seperti mana yang saya katakan dahulu, anda harus create calorie deficit untuk membakar lemak berlebihan!

9. Latihan cardio ataupun bersukan adalah cara yang sesuai untuk membakar calorie berlebihan! It also makes dieting easier as kita tidak perlu jaga pemakanan dengan terlalu rapat!

10. Jika anda telahpun kurangkan lemak badan tetapi tidak lagi nampak abs yang cantik, kurangkan pengambilan sodium (yang takung air badan) dan make sure semasa latihan, abs are fatigued. Tingkatkan ulangan ataupun beban jika perlu!

Kevin Zahri

Related posts:

1. 10 Tips Mudah Untuk “Save up on Calories”
2. 15 Info Senaman Yang Perlu Anda Tahu
3. Kenali postur badan anda

I’m sure by now, most of you have heard that The Biggest Loser Asia is coming to town this weekend.

The Show – “The Biggest Loser Asia”

The Biggest Loser is a life-changing unscripted US series by NBC in which everybody “loses” to win. It challenges and encourages severely overweight contestants to undergo strenuous physical and mental challenges in order to shed pounds. The one who loses the most gains not only a grand cash prize but also a healthy body!

Shot and produced in Malaysia

The Biggest Loser Asia is Hallmark Channel’s first foray into local production, after it successfully secured the broadcast rights for eight seasons of the popular US reality series since early 2009. It will be shot and product in our very own Malaysia

Whats to win?

One lucky contestant will become a spokesperson in the drive against obesity in Asia and win US$100,000 along the way!

How to enroll?

Casting for the Asian series is open for those who want and have the desire and competitive edge to vie for this opportunity to change their lives forever.

From June 22 to Aug 31, hopefuls can send in their applications online at www.biggestloserasia.com, in the mail and or turn up at casting events.

Who is the host?

My good friend – Sarimah Ibrahim! Congratulations. You deserve it.

Who are the trainers?

Not sure but i have my screen test for one of the trainers this Sunday. I better impress so keep your fingers crossed for me.

…i have my screen test for one of the trainers this Sunday. I better impress so keep your fingers crossed for me…

The Biggest Loser season 6 is now on the Hallmark Channel at 9pm every Tuesday.

Kevin Zahri

Related posts:

1. Skin Nutrition Malaysia