Our lifestyle finds us sitting more and more. We are busy and stressed and spend a lot of time in front of the screen (TV, computer, tablet, video game, etc.). Our children's generation is faced with increasing levels of obesity and related health issues. Adding more physical activity to our daily lives is crucial as we learn about the childhood obesity epidemic.
Take a look at this graphic- the rates of overweight children in Mason, Lake, and Oceana Counties are among some of the highest in the state (this data reflects rates of high body mass index for children ages 2 to 5 in low income families, so it is a pretty good snapshot of the population).
LET'S MAKE A CHANGE - LET'S GET UP AND GET GOING!
Physical activity does not have to mean going to the gym, running a marathon, playing on a soccer team or joining an aerobics class. Anything that moves your body counts, and physical activity is a great opportunity for meaningful interactions with children.
- Infants crawl, reach, kick, roll, scoot, and bounce while they play.
- Toddlers walk, run, climb, ride, toss, tumble, and push.
- Preschoolers jump, skip, balance, climb, pedal, throw, swim, and swing.
- Older children are skilled at dancing, using coordination, running distances, and being on teams
- Families, kids, and caregivers sweep floors, carry out the garbage, put away laundry, wash the car, walk the dog, rake the lawn, shovel snow, etc.
- Families, kids, and caregivers ride bikes together, go to the playground, take neighborhood walks, hike, swim in the lake, go fishing, go sledding, play tag, garden together, etc.
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