Friday, July 25, 2014


Let’s Keep the Kids Active!

Written by Alexis D’Ascenzo CPT, UIC Dietetic Student



 

                                       

When I became a nanny to numerous families starting in 2009 I realized more and more that children today are not playing outside as much as when children used to when I was growing up. I remember the days where I would wake up early to eat my breakfast as fast as I possibly could so I could play outside until the sun went down with my friends just to start it all over again the next day.

However nowadays due to the increased accessibility and popularity of iPhones, iPads, or video games children are not as active as they should be. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012 more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.

As a personal trainer, I strongly believe in encouraging children and adolescents to participate in physical activity daily whether that is walking the dog, or riding a bike. At the end of the day remember anything is better than nothing! In order to decrease the increasing overweight and obesity rates it is crucial for children to meet their physical activity recommendations of one hour or more daily. With this being said, it is important to encourage physical activities that are age appropriate for your children and adolescents as their interests will vary greatly.

Tips for increasing physical activity:

  • Provide accessibility to a health club or gym membership
  • Provide your children equipment that encourages physical activity
  • Encourage your child to join a sports team or club
  • Make physical activity apart of your daily family routine such as bike rides in the morning, or walking the dog together
  • Accessibility to bike trails, baseball fields, or a pool for swimming
  • Be a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself
  • http://users.rowan.edu/%7Ekanej76/doitforlife.jpgMake physical activity FUN by incorporating anything your child enjoys such as skateboarding, rollerblading, or jump roping

 

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