Motivating your child to become more healthy this summer

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC):

• Less than one-quarter (24%) of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
• In 2017, only 26.1% of high school students participate in at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity on all 7 days of the previous week.
• In 2017, 51.1% of high school students participated in muscle strengthening exercises (e.g., push-ups, sit-ups, weightlifting) on 3 or more days during the previous week.
• In 2017, 51.7% of high school students attended physical education classes in an average week, and only 29.9% of high school students attended physical education classes daily.

Physical fitness for many youth was not a high priority during the pandemic. Here are some suggestions for helping your family reach their physical fitness goals this summer.

The American Heart Association reported the following benefits of regular physical exercise:

• lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease
• reduced risk of developing diabetes
• loss of excessive fat
• strengthening of bones, muscles and joints, and reduction in the risk of colon cancer
• psychological benefits include reducing feelings of depression and anxiety, improving mood
• And promoting a feeling of well-being.

Dan Landers, professor of exercise science at Arizona State University said: “exercise stimulates the growth of developing brains and prevents the deterioration of older brains.”

Second, encourage physical fitness at home. Parents can make a difference by helping children to include physical activity in their daily routines. Parents should consider the following activities:

*take a daily walk in your neighborhood or at a local park

*set aside a daily exercise time

*Organize outdoor play dates

*Develop an outdoor garden with your children

*Hold a family picnic at a park

*Create an outdoor scavenger hunt

*participate in groups that promote physical activity, Girl Scouts, Boy scouts and YMCA programs.

Third, make exercise fun. Charles Kuntzleman, director of the Fitness for Youth program in Jackson County, Michigan observed: “Be a guest in your child’s play, no matter what sport or activity is involved. There is interest, jump in. Where there is resistance, hold back. You want your child to be healthy and happy, and that happens when fitness is fun.”

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition has some valuable advice, here’s the link: https://health.gov/our-work/pcsfn