Exercise: Fun for All Ages and Sizes
“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to start with the children.”
-Mohandas Gandhi
High numbers of inactivity and poor eating habits are sweeping across the nation in our youth. We are seeing rapid increase in health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We are a nation that is slowly killing ourselves; however, this issue is no longer getting swept under the rug.
Many people are becoming more informed and are trying to improve the health of the future generations. It is shown that bringing back physical activity in schools and choosing free-time activities is associated with great health benefits. With an increase in today’s technology, kids are becoming less active because of what other kids are doing which entails sedentary activity by playing with portable game systems/ smart phones.
The goal is to make activities fun and easy for kids to exercise. This could improve overall health nationwide. If we all do our part with helping to make things more fun and convenient for kids to enjoy physical activity and eating right, the scale will start leaning the other way.
HELPFUL TIPS
· Practice healthy eating habits
· Include physical activity in every day life/chores
· Allow kids to create their own ideas and goals for becoming active
· Plan family or group events that include physical activity
· Always make working out or physical activity fun and never for punishment!