Posts Tagged ‘exercise’

3 Ideas for Getting your Kids to Move

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

The Let’s Move! blog has suggestions to help kids get more active. One of my favorite tips is to involve a pet. If you get the dog out to toss a frisbee or for a walk, it will make it more fun for you and the kids.

Let’s Move! asked their fans on Facebook to share what worked for them this summer to get the kids moving. We’re going to quote a few of the ideas they got from their fans below.

1. Rollerblade on local trails

“My husband & I dusted off our rollerblades (which we haven’t worn in almost 8 years) and went rollerblading with our7 & 4 year olds. I forgot how much fun it is!”

2. Go on a weekly bike ride

“I went on a long bike ride with my dad every Saturday.” Another person looked for a new trail to hike every weekend. I suggest checking your local Meetup.com for a hiking group – that’s how I’ve been more active.

3. Take your baby for a nature walk

You can start young. “I made a commitment to make sure my baby gets outside every day for at least an hour. We usually manage more that that though. We put her in her carrier facing forward and go walking in the woods. I like knowing that the smells and sights and sounds of those hours will be part of her first memories of the world.”

There’s more – you can go swimming or play hide-and-go-seek with your kids. In bad weather take them to indoor playgrounds or museums. Some have climbing walls and your children can make new friends by going at the same time each day of the week.

What keeps your kids moving? Please share!

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Kids in New York City Have High Obesity Rates

Monday, September 6th, 2010

40% of children kindergarten through 8th grade in New York City are either overweight or obese. Of that, 22% are obese and 18% are overweight. The study was based on the  254,076 children from 2008-2009. It was conducted by the Departments of Education and Health.

Pretty shocking.

Also sad is that the poorest children tended to be the heaviest. What to do? The schools have gone to 1% fat milk instead of whole milk. They’ve banned drinks with sweetened with sugar from school vending machines. They plan to focus on getting kids to be more active.

I hope New York City can turn things around. Maybe community gardens? More education and offering healthy choices in school lunch (that wasn’t addressed in the article).

More at: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7131826.html

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