|
Lakewood, NJ ----- Keeping children healthy
through winter is a job that requires creativity and common sense,
child health advocates say, especially when it comes to keeping
kids physically active. Winter's shorter days and colder
temperatures tend to discourage the outdoor exercise that child
health specialists increasingly emphasize is central to good health.
With the nasty winter weather months upon us, it’s usually
not an appropriate time to encourage children’s outside activities.
It’s also an especially tough season for the normally active
child who can’t just jump on a bike and ride or play outside.
Studies show that kids today are exercising less and spending an
average of four and a half hours daily in front of TV and computer
screens.
"The trend toward inactivity in children is all too common during
the winter," says Dave Terlizzi, Director of the Kimball Institute
for Rehabilitative and Occupational Health Services. "Kids are
continuing to eat higher calorie foods and not working them off
like they would in warmer weather.
Terlizzi says there are many ways to put your kids’ energy
to good use during the dreary winter months. Parents play
a key role in encouraging their children to remain active when
playing outside isn't an option.
Be active yourself, says Terlizzi, because kids follow their parents'
example. If you belong to a gym, take your kids with you for a
workout. “Many health clubs and YMCAs now have expanded programs
for kids and parents like parent/child yoga and Pilates, and youth
circuit classes,” Terlizzi notes.
If they can get outside, encourage children to be creative in
their play. Winter is wonderful time to be outside. Parents;
remember how fun it was to play outside during the winter months? When
it snows, bundle them up for sledding, snow soccer, fort-building,
ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, and snow boarding. Organize a
snowman contest, and let the kids decorate with food coloring in
spray bottles. Building a snowman is great exercise for your
kids. There’s really an abundance of activities that
children can do in the winter that are both fun and healthy.
“Children should get approximately 60 minutes of physical
activity each day, but that can be broken up into 10 or 20-minute
intervals,” he says. “If you can't get the kids
out of the house, keep them active indoors. You and your children
will be happier and healthier for it."
“As an alternative to outdoor activities, many malls offer
mall walking and are open early for morning walks. This is a great
way to get physical activity with the kids,” Terlizzi notes. “Mall
walking can become a social occasion by inviting other parents
and their children to join you.” You can make it a game,
he says, where parents split up with their children into teams
and each can compete to reach a certain store in the shortest amount
of time. Or have an “eye spy” game with store windows
as you take your laps around the mall.
For more information on the Kimball Institute
for Rehabilitative and Occupational Health Services please call
(732) 942-5900 or contact the Saint Barnabas Health Care Link at
(888) SBHS-123.
Date: January 27, 2009
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
[ top ] [ Back
to News Index ] |
