Children's Physical Fitness And Nutrition
BINGHAMTON, NY - Winning isn't everything. In fact, winning is a distant second to the healthful benefits of physical activity and good nutrition. Competition in team sports is not the only way for school-aged children to gain the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
"Sports participation is a great way to encourage fitness, but it isn't for every child. It's important that all children, regardless of their interest in competitive sports, learn how important it is to be active and make healthful food choices," said Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director of the Broome County Health Department.
Parents can encourage fitness by making it fun and by being good role models for physical activity and healthful food choices. Families can take walks, play ball or go bicycling together. When vacationing, focus on active pursuits, such as walking tours, rather than riding in a car.
A child's television and computer time should be limited. Active play time with schoolmates or neighborhood children should be encouraged. Remember, the best physical activity for children involves activities they enjoy and can fit into their daily lives, because those are the ones they will continue to do.
To help children maintain a healthy weight, replace snacks high in fat, sugar and calories with fat-free yogurt, real fruit juice, a piece of tasty fruit or vegetable sticks. Encourage smaller portions at home and when eating out.
As a result of sedentary lifestyles and high-calorie meals loaded with fat and sugar, we are raising an overweight generation that will face increased health risks as adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a national survey in 1999, and found that 14 percent of youth between ages 12 and 19 were overweight.
The State Health Department, through its Eat Well, Play Hard initiative, encourages all New Yorkers over age two to engage in at least 30 minutes of daily, age-appropriate physical activity; to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables; and to have three or more servings of low-fat dairy products every day. Some important benefits of physical activity and healthful nutrition to children are reduced stress, and increased self-esteem and sense of well-being. The lifelong benefits include reduced risk and severity of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other chronic and life-threatening diseases.
"The importance of physical activity and proper nutrition for children cannot be overstated. We must be sure that children understand that they don't have to be athletic stars, or even athletes, to enjoy the benefits of physical activity," Ms. Edwards said.
The CDC recommends that children from Kindergarten through Grade 12 participate in daily physical education classes. CDC guidelines state that physical education classes, as well as extracurricular and community-based physical activity programs, should:
- Emphasize enjoyable participation in lifelong physical activity, which can easily be carried into adulthood.
- Offer a diverse range of non-competitive and competitive activities appropriate for different skill and developmental levels.
- Help young people gain activity skills and confidence, while keeping them moving.
For more information on physical activity and good nutrition, call the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.3944, or write: Healthy Lifestyles, Box 2000, Albany, NY 12220.
CONTACT:
Jan Chytilo, Supervising Public Health Educator,
Broome County Health Department, 607.778.3944
email: jcchytilo
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