Childhood Obesity/Childhood Inactivity-The Chicken or the Egg
A growing enigma in the
Childhood Fitness
Regular physical activity is widely recognized as an important component of good health. According to the National Institutes of Health, most Americans, children as well, are physically inactive. Play for infants is exercise of both the mind and body. Play sets the stage for a lifetime of physical activity. Children learn from, and emulate parents, so active parents can provide an excellent example for their kids.
Why is Physical Activity Important?
Regular physical activity leads to physical fitness. It helps build muscle, muscle control, a strong heart and healthy lungs. A lack of physical activity in children puts them at risk for poor health in adulthood. Physical inactivity in adulthood is a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death.
According to the American Heart Association, the benefits of physical activity in children include:
Weight control
Lower blood pressure
Improved psychological well-being
A predisposition to being physically active adults
The first-ever Surgeon General’s report on Physical Activity and Health released in 1996 concluded that people of all ages can substantially improve their health and quality of life by including moderate amounts of physical activity in their daily lives. Additional findings in the report are listed below:
*Significant health benefits can be obtained by including a moderate amount of activity (e.g., 30 minutes of brisk walking, or raking leaves, 15 minutes of running, 45 minutes of playing volleyball) on most, if not all, days of the week. With a modest increase in daily activity, most Americans can improve their health and life. Goals for toddlers are 30 minutes daily of structured physical activity; for preschoolers, at least 60 minutes.
*Additional health benefits can be gained through greater amounts of physical activity. People who can maintain a regular regimen of activity that is of longer duration and more vigorous intensity are likely to derive greater benefit.
*Physical activity reduces the risk of premature mortality in general, and of heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus in particular. Physical activity also improves mental health and is important for the health of muscles and joints.
*More than 60 percent of American adults are not regularly physically active. Thirty percent of all adults are not active at all.
*Nearly half of American youths 12-21 years of age are not vigorously active on a regular basis. Moreover, physical activity declines dramatically during adolescence and young adulthood.
*Daily enrolment in physical education classes has declined among high school students from 42 percent in 1991 to 25 percent in 1995.
Control Mealtime, Exercise More, Lose Weight
Eat three meals daily, at the same time, in the same place in the house, without distractions.
Avoid high-calorie and high-sodium condiments, and fried foods.
Avoid second helpings.
Limit TV time.
Increase sports and outdoor activities.
Walk the dog...it’s good for the dog and the walker.
More information can be found at:
Submitted August 2003
