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Exercise Everyone!
We’ve all heard of the epidemic
of obesity in children today. According to a study by the
Amateur Athletic Union in conjunction with Indiana
University's School of Health, 40% of American children
aged 5-8 have one or more risk factors of heart disease
including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low
cardiovascular endurance. This isn’t a problem only for
younger kids; in the July 1996 report from the U.S.
Surgeon General on Physical Activity and Health states,
almost half of people 12-21 years of age are not
vigorously active.
 There
are many causes for this crisis. Schools are forced to cut
programs due to increased costs and art, music and gym
class are the first to go.
Unlike kids from even twenty-five
years ago, today’s children are less likely to play
physical games, due to the increased popularity of cable
TV and video and computer games. Time-crunched families,
under pressure by rehearsals, sports schedules and work,
often turn to convenience foods and drive through meals,
many of which are less than ideal sources of nutrition.
One group trying to make a
difference is Project Fit America (http://www.projectfitamerica.org),
which compiled the above statistics. It ’s a national
non-profit public charity whose goal is getting kids fit.
They donate fully funded
cardiovascular health and lifetime fitness education
programs to schools. As part of their program, they
address self-esteem, smoking intervention, fitness as fun,
exercise and understanding the body. The program costs
almost $15,000, which includes equipment, training and
support. Corporate sponsors and local hospitals help with
the cost and grants are available in many areas.
Unfortunately, many schools don’t have the resources for
such a program, or they have other priorities, such as
more classroom space or computers.
Don’t wait for the schools to do
it - you can take charge of your child’s physical fitness.
According to Kids Health (http://www.kidshealth.org),
the average person should exercise for 20-30 minutes three
to five days a week.
 Exercise
doesn’t have to mean popping in a Tae Bo video; most kids
get enough movement through regular play. You may not
realize it, but playing tag, jumping rope and horsing
around in a pool are fun ways to get a workout. On a nice
Saturday morning, grab the kids and a wagon and see how
many yard sales are in your neighborhood. Use the wagon to
haul home your finds and any small stragglers who can’t
make it. If it’s too hot, head for the mall and walk
around. You can walk around for 20 minutes just looking
for your car in a large mall!
If your child is resistant to
exercising because he’d rather play video games, look at
what he’s playing. He might be interested in being active,
but not in doing what you call being active. A child who’s
interested in shoot ‘em up games might love a good game of
paintball or laser tag. If he likes those trick riding
bike games, see if there’s a BMX racing track in your area
and take him.
You may have an exercise expert
in your house and not even know it. If you have a toddler,
you have a live-in combination of Richard Simmons and
Billy Blanks. Follow your little one’s lead for a day –
chase him around the yard, go down the slide, play Ring
Around The Rosie – and you’ll not only get a great workout
but you’ll spend lots of quality time together. Have the
older kids play Follow The Leader, with your toddler as
the leader.
Believe me, if you normally have
trouble getting to sleep, you won’t after a day of
Toddlercize!
Getting your kids into a regular
schedule of exercise isn’t a case of “do as I say, not as
I do”. If you want the kids to be active, you have to do
it too. Think of it this way – you’ll need the stamina to
keep up with them!
 Play
some of their games (hopscotch, tag, etc.) and let them
try yours (tennis, golf, etc). You may rediscover an old
favorite and they might surprise you by liking one of
yours. You could also try learning a new skill as a family
activity. Work on your volleyball game so you can surprise
everyone at the next family reunion. If everyone enjoys
biking or walking, train together for a race.
We all know fitness is important.
Many schools are unable to help our kids stay fit so it’s
up to us. Make exercise an important part of your child’s
day, like brushing teeth, and he’ll have a happy, healthy
life.
Links:
Project Fit America (
http://www.projectfitamerica.org
)
Kids Health (
http://www.kidshealth.org )
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