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June 9, 2005 Keep Kids Busy, Healthy with Physical Activity During Summer School’s out, so kids need something to do that will keep them busy, active and healthy. “Be sure they don’t trade the classroom desk for the couch at home to watch television or to play computer games,” says Jane Edwards, a North Dakota State University Extension Service nutrition and health specialist. “Physical activity is good not only for the body but also for building mental connections for future success in school and in all of life’s endeavors.” The National Association for Sports and Physical Education recommends that children ages 5 to 12 participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on all or most days of the week. Edwards says Americans should be concerned about children’s physical activity levels because the nation’s youth, including those in North Dakota, are increasingly overweight. A 2002 North Dakota Department of Health survey found that 16 percent of the state’s sixth-grade students were overweight. The same survey found that rural students were more likely to be overweight (19 percent) than students in urban areas (12 percent), and boys were more likely to be overweight (18 percent) than girls (14 percent). National data shows a similar level of overweight youth - 16 percent for children ages 6 to 19. That is three times higher than in the early 1970s, when a little more than 5 percent were overweight. “This is not just an issue of cosmetics,” Edwards says. “Overweight in children has a direct effect on health, both physical and mental. Children who are overweight are at increased risk for elevated blood pressure, blood lipids and type 2 diabetes. Children who are overweight also may have a more difficult time developing a positive self-image required for normal emotional development.” National data indicates about 38 percent of high school youth watch more than three hours of television per day during the school year. In North Dakota, about 21 percent of high school youth watch television more than three hours a day. Keeping kids physically active in the summer may be a challenge with technology-related entertainment so readily available, according to Edwards. She suggests that parents and children work together to develop a summertime physical activity plan. She says that plan should include a budget for the total amount of media time allowed for each child per week. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends less than two hours per day for children age 2 and older. The academy says children younger than 2 should not watch television. Edwards says that once parents and children establish the total weekly media time, children should be able to decide how they want to use that time on approved television or other media-related entertainment. For example, if they want to watch a movie or sporting event for three hours one day, they need to reduce the time allotted on another day. Fun ideas for summertime physical activity for kids and the entire family are available on various Web sites.
### Source:
Jane Edwards, (701) 231-7478, jedwards@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
