How to Get Children More Active
“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.” ~Anonymous
With obesity rates on the rise there is no doubt that future generations of people will be at a higher risk of becoming overweight and obese which will lead to higher rates of cardiovascular disease as well as type II diabetes. This is becoming increasingly prevalent in children and adolescents. According to the Cdc, “childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years” (cdc.org, 2014). So how are we to prevent this?
The minimum recommended amount of physical activity that children and adolescents ages 6-17 should get is 60 minutes per day (cdc.org, 2014).
Benefits of Physical Activity
· Builds healthy muscle and
bone
· Weight control
· Reduces anxiety and
stress
· Increases
self-esteem
· Reduces risk for
cardiovascular disease and diabetes
· Improves concentration and
success in school
Tips to Get Your Children Active
· Lead by example
· Get family and friends
involved
· Limit TV and electronic
device use
· Provide positive feedback and
rewards
· Let the kids help choose the
activities
· Create a routine that is easy
to follow
· Most importantly, make it fun
and be creative!
References
(2014, February 27). Childhood Obesity Facts. Cdc.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
(2014, March 12). Physical Activity Facts. Cdc.org. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalactivity/facts.htm
Henry, Sarah. (2011, August 4). Kid Fitness: When Your Child Won’t Exercise. Webmd.com. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/kid-fitness-when-your-child-wont-exercise?page=1