Parents need to engage in regular physical activity, not only for their own health but for their children's benefit. Children learn by example, so let your children know that you enjoy being active because it's an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Being active helps you get stronger and gives you more energy, which helps make you look and feel better about yourself.
Don't let having the kids at home during summer vacation worry you. Make some plans and schedule fun activities to prevent a house full of bored kids over the next two to three months. Ride bikes, walk to the local park, or play a game of good old-fashioned tag!
1. True or False: It is recommended that children get at least two hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
False Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily.
Aerobic: Most of the 60 or more minutes a day should be either moderate (bike riding) or vigorous-intensity (playing basketball) aerobic physical activity, and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity at least three days a week.
Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least three days of the week.
Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity (running, skateboarding) on at least three days of the week.
It is important to encourage young people to participate in physical activities appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety.
2. Which of the following activities is not a moderate to vigorous physical activity?
a. Dancing
b. Basketball
c. Playing cards
d. Skateboarding
Answer C
Youth doing vigorous-intensity activity will feel their heart beating much faster than normal and they will breathe much harder than normal.
3. On average children ages 2-17 spend ______ hours per day on Screen time. (TV, computer and video games)
a. 4
b. 5.5
c. 6
d. 6.5
Answer 5.5
On average children ages 2-17 watch nearly three hours of TV a day (Nielsen, 1998) and if you include time spent playing video and/or computer games, that number increases to about 5 hours a day. Two-thirds of American children are not active enough to remain healthy, and studies have shown a direct link between obesity and excessive television watching.
4. True or False: It's OK if my child doesn't wear a bicycle helmet if he is only riding in the driveway?
False
Be firm and always insist your child wears a helmet when he or she is out on wheels, even when close to home (where the majority of incidents take place). Tell your child how the helmet protects his or her head and brain. Proper fit is just as important and if it fits better it will be more comfortable. Be a role model. When you're on wheels, wear your own helmet.
5. True or False: When walking you should only cross the street if there is a cross walk?
False
If you must cross the street, you should cross at an intersection if there is one. Stop at the side of the road, and look carefully to the left, right and left again. If there is no traffic coming, walk across the road. Don't run, you are more likely to fall.