In the United States, 18.5% of children ages 2-19 are considered obese (State of Obesity, 2018) and it is holding steady. The first step in lowering this number is getting more activity and less screen time in the daily lives of children. It is recommended that children get at least 1 hour of rigourous physical activity and less than 2 hours of screen time per day. (Lets go!, 2018)
Being healthy is more than weight and appearance. When we talk about health, it is more important to stress heart health. Getting your heart rate up for 60 minutes per day will encourage good heart health and it will allow your body to work at a high rate to burn off calories you have taken in for the day. Combined physical activity and good nutrtion are sure fire ways to combat childhood obesity.
A few ways to engage in heart healthy activities:
There are many programs that encourage health promotion through activity. Many of them can offer tips for games that are engaging and offer health components that go with them. I will list a few to get you started:
http://www.nfl.com/play60#toggleableContent
https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/
https://mainehealth.org/lets-go
Being healthy is more than weight and appearance. When we talk about health, it is more important to stress heart health. Getting your heart rate up for 60 minutes per day will encourage good heart health and it will allow your body to work at a high rate to burn off calories you have taken in for the day. Combined physical activity and good nutrtion are sure fire ways to combat childhood obesity.
A few ways to engage in heart healthy activities:
- Play tag
- Organized games (basketball, soccer, lacrosse etc.)
- Run with a friend
- Skate board or bike ride
- Jump Rope
- Dance
- Swim
- Zumba
- 4 square or Gaga Ball
There are many programs that encourage health promotion through activity. Many of them can offer tips for games that are engaging and offer health components that go with them. I will list a few to get you started:
http://www.nfl.com/play60#toggleableContent
https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/
https://mainehealth.org/lets-go