The Center for Disease Control and Other Major Health Organizations Recommend Children

The Center for Disease Control and other major health organizations recommend children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes daily of moderate physical activity.

For children and adolescents, regular physical activity has beneficial effects on the following aspects of health:

·  Weight / ·  Muscular strength
·  Cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness / ·  Bone mass (through weight-bearing activities)
·  Blood pressure (for hypertensive youth) / ·  Anxiety and stress
·  Self-esteem

Experience Active Family Fun – Time together is time that’s treasured. Try:

·  Family Adventures – See the sights of your community. Discover the public parks. Visit the zoo. Explore outdoor tourist attractions. Try hiking, fishing, canoeing and berry-picking.

·  Seasonal Celebrations – Welcome each season with fun.

o  Winter: Go sledding or build a snowman.

o  Spring: Play ball or fly a kite.

o  Summer: Run through the sprinkler or jump rope.

o  Fall: Play Frisbee golf or hike through a pumpkin patch.

·  The Gifts of Physical Activity – Give a present that encourages activity. Outfit that special someone with a swimsuit or pair of athletic shoes. Select toys that make kids move, such as a jump rope, bicycle or basketball.

·  Community Service – Benefit others while benefiting you – volunteer as a family. Do litter patrol on a nearby road, help neighbors rake yard or team up to clean a favorite park.

·  Walk and Talk – Instead of sitting at the table to do homework, take a walk with your child while practicing spelling words, multiplication tables or geography facts. Turn off the television and take a walk after dinner. Limit time on the computer and phone.

·  Household Jobs: Encourage responsibility and home maintenance skills by having your children help vacuum, scrub floors, mow the lawn, walk the dog, wash the car and more.

·  Indoor Fun: Designate a place where kids can roll, climb, jump, dance and tumble. Garages without cars can become an activity zone on rainy or snowy days.

·  Traveling Locker Room: Stash a box in the family car that holds balls, baseball gloves, jump ropes, Frisbees, kites, etc. You’ll always be ready for fun.

Follow the recommendations of the Physical Activity Pyramid to guide the way for healthy young people!