Children across the globe are slowing down! That's according to a fairly recent study which looked at studies over nearly a 50 year period involving more than 25 million youngsters. Compared to kids 30 years ago, young people today run a mile 90 seconds slower.

With the best will in the world, it's a challenge to create a healthy end of year season for adults and kids alike. However, after a sugary festive time, why not add some balance to children's diets by focusing on health and diet awareness this January.

Tis the season to be merry and not morbidly obese at least. With trick and treat candies long gone and Thanksgiving feasting round the corner for some, not to mention the upcoming indulgence of the end-of-year party season, it's easy for this time of year to create a festive fallout over kids' health.

Anyone who has kids would probably agree that parenting is anything but passive and this relates to every area of life, learning and development. It's also important to be proactive rather than overly reactive, and in the quest for a fit and healthy child, it's the adults who need to take the lead.

Toddlers as young as two, with unhealthy profiles, could have greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) when they're older. So says a large-scale European study which recommends activity guidelines for the under-9s. This latest research adds to the already worrying trend that obesity in children is on the rise and that many youngsters are simply not doing enough.

There's something to be said for letting kids have free time to find activities to entertain themselves. Non-structured time can allow for creativity, imagination and interests to develop. However, sometimes it's not enough to encourage youngsters to simply get outdoors or involved in activities.

Do you know how much time your child is spending in physical education classes at school. A recent Cornell University study about to be published shows a link between PE sessions in the US and obesity rates amongst youngsters. This is one of the few pieces of research looking at in-school fitness and the weight and Body Mass Index of children.

Kids who don't lead active lives and prefer sedentary screen-time instead could be more prone to depression. That's what one study in Australia has revealed. The evidence supports ongoing research into changing lifestyles of youngsters, from young children to adolescents, and the impact this has on their health.

School is a massive influence on your children. It is at school that they first interact outside of their home environment, form their attitudes and learn about diet, exercise and lifestyle among other things. While you might promote a certain standard of living and approach to life at home, how can you be sure that schools are doing enough to benefit the health of your child? Recent proposals by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlight the need for rules to protect youngsters' diets at school.

Child couch potatoes may not be quite as much at risk of getting fat than their worried parents suspect. Studies show that there is nothing wrong with a bit of lounging on the sofa after all, as long as kids are are getting exercise in at some point.