 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Articles for Moms
<<Back To Articles Talk about it on the Health and Fitness Board. |
| AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION RELEASES FAMILY FITNESS TIPS TO HELP PARENTS AND KIDS AVOID "OBESITY TRAP" National Organization Advocates Families Exercising Together ALEXANDRIA, VA, August TK, 2004*In response to government statistics indicating that childhood and adolescent obesity rates have tripled in the past 20 years, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is calling for families to commit to at least 30 minutes of sustained physical activity every day. The group, which represents 64,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students, has released new, easy-to-implement "family fitness tips" on its Web site, www.apta.org. Noting that almost one in five (17%)* American youth are clinically overweight, APTA member and pediatric physical therapist Heidi Jo Hetland, PT, MS, PCS, attributes the rise, in part, to a lack of sustained daily exercise. "Children typically are active in short bursts," says Hetland. "To achieve a good fitness level, they need to keep their heart rates up for at least 30 minutes at a time." The solution proposed by APTA and Hetland? Make daily exercise a "family affair." Hetland says that many activities that help children raise their heart rates can be done as a family*such as regularly taking a brisk walk after dinner or participating in more vigorous activities, such as running or bike riding. Other recommendations from Hetland and APTA include: Parents as Fitness Role Models According to Hetland, based in Durham, North Carolina, parents are role models for their children's physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. "It's much easier for children to stay healthy and adopt good habits if they see their parents making exercise a priority," she says. Hetland also advises parents to emphasize a healthy lifestyle instead of focusing solely on weight, supporting their children's healthy choices rather than pounds lost. Play to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes, traditionally found in adults, is now appearing in children as young as 4 years old. According to Hetland, children who participate in sustained daily physical activity and who follow a balanced diet enjoy improved cardiovascular fitness and greater bone mass and strength, and are better able to manage their weight*all of which help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Creating a Program with Longevity Hetland and other physical therapists often encounter children and adults who have experienced difficulties maintaining an exercise regime. "The guidance and encouragement of a physical therapist who understands individual needs and possible limitations and is able to closely monitor progress can often mean the difference between success and failure," Hetland concludes. The American Physical Therapy Association is a national professional organization representing 64,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. For more information, please visit our Web site, www.apta.org . *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tips For Family Fitness 1. Limit sedentary activities such as television, video games, and computer time to 2 hours per day. Remember, TV commercials encourage children to crave the foods they see! |
If you would like to submit an article for publication here on the Mom To Mom Chat site, please send it in the body of an e-mail to robyn@momtomomchat.com.
Site Design by RMH Web Design