How can I keep my children healthy?

Physical activity:

Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day.

• Aerobic activity should make up most of the 60 minutes.  This includes activities like walking and running.  Three of the days should include the more vigorous activities.
• Muscle strengthening activities should be part of the 60 minutes, 3 days a week.  This would include gymnastic type activities or playing on a jungle gym.
• Bone strengthening activities like jumping rope or running should also be done as part of the 60 minutes of activity, 3 days a week.

 Healthypeople.gov recently reported that our youth are falling short of meeting the current physical activity guidelines. Only 18% of students in grades 9-12 met the recommendation. 

Children ages 8-18 years old reportedly spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media, including, TV, computers, video games, cell phones and movies.  83% of children from 6 months to less than 6 years of age view TV or videos for close to 2 hours a day.  TV viewing is considered a major contributing factor to childhood obesity as it takes the child away from possibly participating in physical activities and replaces that time with a sedentary activity.  Additionally, people tend to snack while watching TV.

Ways to get your child moving:

• Set a positive example for your child, engage in physical activity yourself
• Make physical activity part of your family's daily routine
• Give your child equipment that encourages physical activity
• Be positive and supportive about your child participating in organized sports
• Limit entertainment media time
• Get involved with your school to encourage daily, quality physical education
• Sign your child up at Indiana PIT! Classes for 3-6 year olds, 7-12 year olds and Teens!