Oust childhood obesity with green fingered fun

Although we don't all have access to an allotment, allocating our youngsters some pretty pots and a snippet of space can see them create more than just fascinating flowers. Here are my top three benefits of being in the garden:

1. It sows the seeds that will see them satisfying their stomaches...sensibly.
Encouraging your youngsters to enjoy the process of planting and picking their own organic fruit and vegetables will not only instill the importance of fuelling their body (and brain!) with healthier, homemade foods, but drive them to develop a natural taste for fresh produce as opposed to the heavily processed products that will leave them prone to piling on the pounds.

2. Green fingered fitness can fight the flab.
Motivating your youngsters to move more by getting muddy in the garden will not only benefit their brain - the sensory stimulation that stems from fresh air and scenic surroundings banishes boredom by encouraging them to explore and enjoy outdoor activities - but benefit their bodies by eliminating the excess energy that contributes to childhood obesity - the planting, pushing and pulling (etc!) that's associated with this particular activity provides a fun form of fitness that moves multiple muscles and raises the heart rate.

3. It takes away the temptation of the TV and technology.
Although the temptation of technology may be tough to tackle, encouraging your youngsters to explore the garden - be it bugs, fascinating flowers or sowing seeds - will reduce their risk of childhood obesity by slashing the time that they spend in a sedentary state - particularly as studies show that those who watch more than five hours of TV a day are 4.6 times more susceptible to suffering from obesity than those who watch less than an hour. Getting out and about in the garden will also help to convince your children that outdoor activities (such as getting green fingers!) can be just as fun as watching their favourite films - a healthy habit that will benefit them throughout their adult life. 

Top tip: prettifying plant pots is the perfect past time for creative children who struggle with a short attention span. 
If gardening gets too 'boring', reignite your youngsters interest by tempting them with personalised plant pots (think striking shades, silly stickers and even girly glitter!), fun figures and my first garden boxes - all will create an enjoyable experience that will encourage your children to get outdoors as opposed to tempted by the sedentary lifestyle that stems from technology.

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