Help Your Child Stay Active

Return to Index Step 1: Welcome Step 2: The Benefits Of Exercise Step 3: Before You Begin Step 4: How Much Exercise is Enough?Step 5: Types Of Exercise Step 6: Why Use Weights?Step 7: Warm Up, Cool Down, And Stretch Step 8: Stay Safe Step 9: Just Getting Out the Door Step 10: Overcoming Roadblocks Key Points MedTest Glossary

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Children are becoming less physically active than they were in the past. Many are staying indoors longer to watch TV and play videogames, and parents may be less eager to have their children running around outside out of fear of abduction or traffic accidents. As these trends have increased (and as diets have become less healthy), there has been a dangerous rise of obesity in children in recent years.

Childhood obesity should be taken very seriously -- many obese children develop type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, and other conditions that can last into adulthood.

The remedy for obesity is a nutritious diet and 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Your child can jump, play basketball, participate in running games, bike, or find any other way to be active and have fun. For the health of your child, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research makes the following suggestions to help develop good physical activity habits.

Encourage your child to participate in physical activities, including sports.
Encourage involvement in activities that can be enjoyed into adulthood (walking, running, swimming, basketball, tennis, golf, dancing, and bicycle riding).
Plan physical activities with family or friends; exercise is more fun with others.
Limit the time your child spends watching TV to less than 2 hours per day. Encourage going out to the playground, park, gym, or swimming pool instead.
Physical activity should be fun. Don't make winning the only goal.
Many communities and schools offer exercise or sports programs find out what is available for your child.

- Created by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.

Remember, your children learn many of their habits from you. Try to set a good example and give them plenty of encouragement. You will be helping to give them a lifelong gift of good health.

Review Date: May 2, 2005
Reviewed By: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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