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.