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.
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