Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids: A Family-Centered Approach to Achieving Optimal Health [Paperback]

D.O. Robert S Gotlin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2008

Written for parents concerned about their children’s overall fitness, Dr. Rob's Fitness Guide for Kids addresses the importance of both food and physical activity in keeping children healthy. Gotlin sees sports, with its emphasis on playing by the rules, being a good teammate, winning and losing with grace, and working toward a common goal, as an essential route to physical, psychological, and social health. This book helps parents choose a sport or activity in which their child can find comfort and confidence. In addition to outlining the benefits of various team and individual sports, Gotlin provides detailed information about the equipment needed, safety issues, and how to create a supportive environment for young athletes. Also included are exercises developed specifically for children, age-appropriate fitness and calorie guidelines, and delicious, dietician-developed meal plans and sport-specific menus that instill a lifetime of good eating habits.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: DiaMedica (July 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979356431
• ISBN-13: 978-0979356438
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,420,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sports Oriented, not fitness..., July 14, 2008

By 

Allison R. King "Allisons Attic" (Hollister, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids: A Family-Centered Approach to Achieving Optimal Health (Paperback)

"Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids" seems more of an attempt to get kids to play sports, then to actually get fit. I wanted to like this book and do to some extent, but it was more focused on team sports then exercise. A majority of kids do not play team/individual sports because of the cost issues, so the majority of the book wouldn't help most kids. Also, over half the book deals with meal plans and recipes which seems a bit overboard (he could have used this space for more content). Dr. Gotlin does a good job explaining to parents how to get their kids involved in sports and how to deal with injuries. His style of writing made the book easy to read and understand. Maybe it was the `name' of the book that gave me the impression of a more `fitness' book for kids to help get them outside and away from inside gaming! If your kids are in to sports I would say read the book. If you're looking for a more fitness oriented book to guide you, I would pass on this one.

Advanced reader copy received from Res Marketing Alliance

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for any parent, October 10, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids: A Family-Centered Approach to Achieving Optimal Health (Paperback)

With today's rising obesity rates, many parents want to ensure their children stay healthy and fit. "Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids: A Family-Centered Approach to Achieving Optimal Health" is a guide for parents who want their children to avoid the easy pitfall that is obesity. With guidelines and tips for children of any age, information on activities and better diet choices, it's an informed guide, sure to help children get fit and stay fit. With extra advice on how health is a family mind set, "Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids" should be required reading for any parent.

4.0 out of 5 stars A success in my book, September 3, 2008

By 

Dan Hersam - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids: A Family-Centered Approach to Achieving Optimal Health (Paperback)

Dr. Rob is a doctor, parent and children's sports coach who provides useful ways to improve the health and diet of today's kids. He starts out talking about how kids are struggling with obesity at a young age because of a general inactivity epidemic. Many children remain sedentary for much of the day, sitting in school or in front of the TV. This has concerning implications for their long term health. The numbers and trends he shares are unsettling. One particularly memorable example is that for the first time in history children's life expectancy is declining.

He gives advice to help children get the most out of sports (hint: they're supposed to be fun for the kids, not to let parents live vicariously). The overriding message for parents is that confidence leads to success and success leads to confidence. He also discusses recognizing and dealing with sports injuries. One appreciates his knowledge and experience as a medical doctor to cover treatment instructions and when to see a doctor. The generally idea is if you're in doubt, see your doctor.

The latter portion of the book covers proper nutrition. He teamed up with a nutritionist to create sports-themed meals for kids and there are several recipes for kid-friendly foods that can work for adults too. The end of the book has a few appendices with useful web sites and organizations for further research.

The book was well thought out, pleasant to read and emphasized ideas enough to get embed them into the ol' cranium.