The American Heart Association’s stance on physical inactivity is that it: “is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. It also increases the risk of stroke and such other major cardiovascular risk factors as obesity, high blood pressure, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol and diabetes.”
The Association recommends the following:
All children age 2 and older should participate in at least 30 minutes of enjoyable, moderate-intensity physical activities every day that are developmentally appropriate and varied.
If your child or children don’t have a full 30-minute activity break each day, try to provide at least two 15-minute periods or three 10-minute periods in which they can engage in vigorous activities appropriate to their age, gender and stage of physical and emotional development.
Take your children to their outdoor classroom and encourage them to play on the climbers, walk across balance beams, and maybe even play a game of tag… after all, you may be “it” when it comes to ensuring they get enough exercise!
Check out The Adventurous Child for more ideas.
