Encouraging children to do physical activity

The Sampson County Coalition for Healthy Children has written an article that encourages parents and carers to help children form habits of physical exercise.

Too many children spend a large amount of time in front of a TV, computer or playing video games. Parents and care givers need to encourage children to do daily physical activity.

The benefits of physical activity include a decreased risk of chronic disease, improved physical development and a feeling of well-being. Regular activity will also help children maintain a healthy weight. Most important, being physically active early in life helps to develop a lifelong commitment to being active.

They suggest that exercising together as a family not only improves physical health and well-being, but can also improve family relationships.

Tips to help encourage everyone in the family to be active include:

• Help everyone to find something active that makes them feel successful.
• Use physical activity rather than food as a reward
• Spend as much time as possible outdoors.
• Encourage your school board to make physical education a priority.
• Learn what free and low-cost physical activity areas are located near your home, for example, parks, hiking trails, bike trails, swimming pools, tennis courts, etc.
• Take the family pet for a walk.