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Get Kids Moving - Promoting Physical Activity for Kids
In today’s world of cars, video games, TV’s, computers, and processed food, kids are not getting enough exercise. Research indicates that over half of Canada’s children and youth are not active enough for optimal health. Inactivity puts our children at risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
Physiotherapy Alberta supports Canada’s Guide to Physical Activity for Children and encourages all parents, teachers and community leaders to get kids active and involved in some kind of daily physical activity.
Here are some quick tips.
- Aim to have kids do at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
- Set realistic time-frames (20 minutes) when starting out. Increase the activities over time. The most important thing is to do something.
- Pick fun activities like biking, swimming, playing tag, playing in the park, playing sports, walking to school, tobogganing, skating, dancing.
- Do the activities with the kids – be a role model.
Kids will benefit. Regular physical activity helps to:
- Improve fitness
- Improve coordination
- Promote healthy bone and joint development
- Increase self-esteem
- Improve concentration and learning
For more information get Canada’s Guide to Physical Activity for Children or talk to your physiotherapist.
