Written by Doug Rice, CPT
Computers, video games, and satellite T.V. are our children’s latest and greatest toys. Who has time to play outside when you are about to beat the hardest level, or your favorite show is about to start? Our kids participate in less physical activity and are more sedentary than any generation before.
Do you know how much physical activity your kids get each day? Some parents may think that kids are getting an hour of P.E. each day, only to find out that the school has dropped its P.E. classes.
A great way to encourage activity is to limit the time your children spend on sedentary activities, such as T.V and video games. Sign your kids up on a local sports team so that they can run and be active with other kids. Take the whole family to the park on a weekend instead of gathering in front of the T.V.
Monkey see monkey do
This issue really boils down to one factor: Parental Example. Your kids watch what you do even when you wish they wouldn’t, and this is certainly true when it comes to diet and exercise.
Do you model good eating habits, or do your kids see you indulge? Do you exercise regularly, or do your kids see you on the couch in front of the television all weekend?
As a parent, it is your unique responsibility to teach your children the habits that lead to good health. Since you know that obese children have a greater chance of remaining obese into adulthood, thus greatly increasing the likelihood of serious health problems, this isn’t a responsibility that you take lightly.
Tags: active kids
Great blog, Doug. I just want to issue one caution about kids participating in sports. Many parents believe that sports participation fulfills a child’s need for regular physical activity, but they should be aware that there’s often more time spent waiting than moving. For example, children hanging around on the bench or out in right field are just as sedentary as kids sitting in front of a computer. Going to the park as a family, as you suggested, is much more likely to prompt physical activity!