Is Your Child Active
Enough?
What is one of the leading health concerns facing children
today? Is it the development of super-bugs? Mold growth in
schools? Unsafe sexual practices? Actually, while these are
all major concerns facing the nation's children, it is actually
the chronic lack of activity that may be the most overlooked
and widespread danger to their health.
Inactivity, due to a reduction in school fitness programs
and a continuing trend to over indulge in television, computers
and other technology as forms of entertainment, poses a serious
health risk to this generation of children. From obesity to
an increased risk of diabetes, inactivity in childhood can
lead to serious health problems now and in the future.
IS YOUR CHILD ACTIVE ENOUGH?
As a guide to healthy living, some professionals suggest
a minimum of 90 minutes of active movement every day as a
reasonable standard of activity for children.
Activity does not need to be done in one period of time;
it can be broken up throughout the day. While it may be difficult
to judge exactly how much active movement your child engages
in consider school fitness programs, biking, playing with
friends and helping with chores as a means of estimating the
activity level of your child.
On the other hand, how much time does your child spend watching
TV, playing video games, surfing the internet or messaging
their friends? When too many non-active pastimes are available
it is easy for a child to slip into a sedentary lifestyle.
TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR CHILD MORE ACTIVE
To get your child more active follow these simple suggestions.
Your whole family will benefit from greater health.
- Limit TV to 2 hours per day.
- Put homework off until after dinner so children can spend
time getting active after school.
- Do activities as a family; go for a walk, play a game of
catch or work together on household chores.
- Sign them up for activities they enjoy - dance, sports or
volunteer work can build self-esteem as well as a healthy
body.
- Don't forget diet - a high fat, high sugar diet will leave
your child exhausted. Providing healthy meals and snacks will
give them the energy to get active.
- Set the example - studies continue to show that children
with active parents will be more inclined to stay active themselves
than children with sedentary families. Doing activities on
your own or with your family show your children that being
active is a normal, healthy way of living.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
(You are granted the right to reprint this article but the
title
and content must remain unchanged and the authors name
and contact information must be included.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
