With childhood obesity on the rise in the US, it’s concerning to note that as many as 12 million American children are either overweight or obese today. Childhood obesity poses serious health risks for our up-and-coming generations, and worse, it can also impact our kids’ quality of life.
Are you a parent who is worried about your children’s health? Just ask your family doctor or online family nurse practitioner program accredited FNP. No doubt, they will tell you that you need to get your kids moving to help shed those extra pounds and keep obesity at bay.
Here are some fun ways to do it.
1. Get Them Involved in a Team Sport
Want to get your kids up, away from their screens, and moving their bodies? Enroll them in a team sport.
Even better, team sports not only get kids moving but also help them develop valuable social skills, which is also good for their mental health. Indeed, the many benefits of sports for children have been well documented. Some of these include:
- Physical benefits, such as stronger, fitter, and more active bodies.
- Mental health benefits, such as reducing stress and negative emotions, and even, minimizing the risk of developing depression or anxiety.
- Social benefits, such as enabling them to learn how to relate to other kids – which does wonders for their interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships.
2. Take Them on a Nature Hike
Ah, the great outdoors. There’s truly nothing like it. Outside, the world is quite literally your children’s playground. They’ll be running around clambering over rocks and boulders in no time.
Indeed, all that fresh air is inspiring – the wonders of nature combined with physical activity can be both mood-boosting and calorie-crushing. The benefits of getting out and exercising in nature have also been well-documented – the healing power of the great outdoors has long been celebrated.
3. Go to Your Local Playground
On the theme of getting outdoors, have you checked out your local playground?
Playgrounds can provide hours of adventurous fun and physical activity as your kids navigate the monkey bars, slides, and various ramps and climbing apparatus. Even better, these locations can also provide an opportunity for your children to socialize with other kids. So grab a coffee, and stroll down to your local park. Another great idea? You could even organize a playdate with other parents, so you can stand around and chat while your kids play.
4. Have a Dance Party at Home
Are your kids feeling restless on a Saturday night? Here’s a bright idea: why not throw on some disco tunes and have a family dance party at home? Create a playlist on your favorite streaming app, or go old school and delve into your CD collection – if you still own some.
What’s even more fun? You can even get the family all dressed up. Get into the vibe by throwing on a retro get-up, with glitter, and lots of sparkle. You can find feather boas and other fun dance party accessories at your local craft shop or haberdashery.
5. Try an Active Video Game
The recent popularity of virtual reality can likely be attributed to the fact that it gives us an entirely different way to play and engage with electronic games.
Studies have shown that active video games that utilize ‘fully immersive’ virtual reality can elicit moderate to vigorous physical activity. The best part? The kids won’t even realize they’re exercising. Instead, they’ll get caught up in chasing monsters, leaping and bounding through obstacles, and upping game levels. So get out that Nintendo Wii – it’s time to get off the couch.
Getting kids moving is essential for both their physical and mental health. With rampant childhood obesity in the US, it’s critical that parents play their role in ensuring their kids are physically active.
As mentioned, fitness is not only great for physical health, it also has benefits for kids’ mental and emotional well-being, and their socialization with other children. So, enroll them in team sports, get them moving in nature or at the local playground, or even try some home-based activities like family dance parties or active video games.
