The following Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Marksissons

and is narrated by Brock Armstrong

How we're setting up our kids to be fat, sick, and unhappy.

I've been on a bit of a children's health and wellness kick lately with a couple of posts discussing the importance and, unfortunately, dearth of free play

and exploration in our child's lives. Some of you have speculated via email that Carrie and I

have something to announce, but that's

definitely not the case. This is simply an important topic for everyone with a stake in the future

of this world. The mental, physical, and spiritual health of our children today will determine

our trajectory through history in the decades to come.

If a fat, sick, and unhappy generation takes the reins of this planet, nothing good will come of it.

Also, those are our kids. Once you've popped one out, it's your responsibility to give them the tools and

environment they need to realize their potential. No, not a free ride, not a hand-holding session,

but we need to provide the things that they, as infants, toddlers and prepubescence, filled with

simmering stews of hormones cannot.

The incredible thing about smaller, less mature humans, is that they make pretty good decisions

regarding health, fitness, activity, sleep, and every other lifestyle factor that we seek to

optimize in this blog, if they are given the right environment.

No micromanagement required. In fact, micromanagement of our children is one of the biggest impediments to their healthy growth and development.

Okay, so what exactly is wrong with kids today? Why am I yelling at this cloud?

Their parents are told to ignore their instincts early on.

What's the first thing a new parent feels like doing when they behold that wrinkly red humanoid that just sprang from the mum's loins?

Holding it close. Bare skin against

...