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Keep
Kids Fit...Not Fat
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says about 55 percent
of adults are overweight or obese, up from 43 percent in
1960. Much of this can be attributed to poor habits in their
youth. The Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity
and Health found that school-based programs are successful
in increasing physical activity levels and emphasizing the
substantial benefits of regular moderate exercise. Yet,
by the time children reach high school, only 19 percent
of them are considered physically active. Many adults feel
miserable about their weight. In most cases their struggles
with food began in childhood. In the past 20 years, obesity
among 6 to 11 year-old children has increased 54%!
Kids are playing less and getting less exercise because
of technology. As parents, we need to teach our children
about having balance in our lives, exercise, fitness, and
good eating habits. We need to set a good example and train
our children for life. Kids shouldn't wait till they grow
up to start exercising and eating right.
Here are some tips to help your kids stay active apart
from rewiring your TV and computer:
- Set
a good example. If you aren't active, why should
your kids be?
- Instead
of taking the car to the store, walk or ride bikes with
your kids.
- Instead
of having the weekly family outing to the movies, go to
the park instead.
- Have
birthday parties at parks, water parks, the Discovery
Zone, skating rinks, and other active places where your
kids can run, jump, and play.
- Do
things with your kids that are fun for both of you.
Go swimming, hiking, ride bikes, jump rope, tag, kickball,
catch, etc.
- Canada's
Physical Activity Guide teaches kids the importance
of healthy living and fitness.
Regular exercise can help your kids grow into fit and healthy
adults by reducing their risk of a wide range of health
problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity
and high blood pressure. And, in addition to keeping your
child physically healthy, staying fit can also boost their
self-esteem, according to the American Dietetic Association
(ADA). So help your kids get excited about exercise while
they're young. Exercising can become a habit that will provide
them with a lifetime of benefits.
Physical activity is proven to improve quality of life
for children and is important in decreasing the risk of
obesity, heart disease, depression and a myriad of other
health problems throughout their lives. Some experts say
that if one in five inactive individuals in North America
became active, more than $100 billion in health care and
related costs could be avoided.
Increasing the physical activity level of children and
youth and providing visionary leadership, resource support
and effective programs is critical for the future of our
children. The time is now to address decreasing activity
levels and the resulting health implications in youth today.
Article Source: Yahoo Health
Article Author: N/A
Net Reference 106
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