Modern life has many advantages and disadvantages that create inactive
environments for kids. Computers, TV's, music and videos all provide
too much sedentary and snacking time. Driving rather than walking is
standard and high technology reduces our need to be physically active.
Today, kids are twice as likely to be obese than they were 10 years
ago. Along with obesity are health concerns such as heart disease and
diabetes.
Many school districts have thrown out or severely limited their
physical education programs. This means it's up to the parents at home
to get their kids on their feet and more active. Here's a few ideas
parents can implement:
1)PROVIDE ITEMS WHICH ENCOURAGE MOVEMENT. Provide things in the house
and outside that could be used for activity. Ideas might be a
basketball goal, badmitton set, tennis set, pogo stick, kids exercise
videos, and some regular exercise equipment like a step or light
weights. Younger children will usually remain active with toys.
2)PLAY WITY THEM. Shoot baskets with them or play a little badmitton.
Teach them some regular fitness skills. This is part of being a good
fitness role model.
3) HAVE FAMILY FITNESS TIME. Three times a week choose an activity
everyone can participate in such as taking a walk and do it together as
a family.
4)FIND OUT WHAT ACTIVITY YOUR KIDS LIKE. It's easy to gravitate toward
fitness trends you like. Remember you are going to have to motivate
your kids The number one reason both kids and adults drop out of
fitness programs is they don't like the activity. Encourage your kids
to choose a wide variety of activities.
5) AVOID INACTIVITY. Estimates show kids watch more than 24 hours of TV
per week. This amount of TV/video viewing is unhealthy for both kid's
bodies and brains. Set time limits on these sedentary activities. The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only 2 hours of TV per day.
Supporting physical activity for our kids is critical due to the
alarming rise in childhood obesity and the associated health risks.
Experts recommend the our youths be active 30 minutes a day on most
days of the week. As parents, you have the fundamental responsibility
to get your kids active and you can do this by supporting home
activities, scheduling familing activities, buying home exercise
equipment and limiting time on TV's and computers. There's also playing
games with the neighborhood kids, walking the pets and joining your
local fitness center. Parents, you really can make a difference in the
physical fitness of your child.
About the Author
Dr. Lanny Schaffer is an Exercise Physiologist and the President of The
International Fitness Academy. For more information on the status of
our kids health and fitness levels go to http://www.aerobic-exercise-coach.com
