Are your children active? ... among children is becoming an ... ... your children to be active not only improves their health now, but it will also benefit them later in ...
Are your children active? Inactivity among children is becoming an epidemic. Motivating your children to be active not only improves their health now, but it will also benefit them later in life.
Here are some facts:
* Lack of exercise is a major reason for the growing rate of obesity among children. Rather than letting your child watch TV all day, encourage him to spend time each day in play that requires him to be physically active.
* Exercise can strengthen children's bones, something they will benefit from as adults. Children who participate in weight-bearing impact sports such as running, gymnastics, tumbling, and dance have higher bone density than children whose major activity is a non-weight-bearing exercise such as swimming.
* Active children may increase their chance of becoming healthy adults. Children who enjoy being active are more likely to develop the lifelong, healthy habit of being physically active. Physical activity decreases the risk of obesity, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stoke, and heart disease later in life. Simply put, people who are active on a regular basis tend to live longer than inactive individuals.
If you think getting your child to be more active is impossible, you just need to think "fun". Encourage your child to ride a bike, swim, or play ball with friends. Get your child involved in school organized sports and physical education classes. Most importantly, become a role model. If your child sees you laying around or always sitting in front of the television or computer, it will be hard for him to know any better. Get the whole family involved in games, bicycling, or other active play. If you get involved, your child will, too.
