By Kerri Kreh Reda, M.P.H.
Getting and keeping kids moving is important due to the many benefits physical activity provides such as helping to prevent chronic disease, heart disease, and diabetes. Engaging in physical activity also promotes flexibility, better sleep, stress management, and weight management. Additionally, children’s school performance may be enhanced.
In December of 2016, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance released the 2016 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. This report found that American children are not doing very well when it comes to engaging in physical activity. Only 21.6 % of children ages 6-19 years meet U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines. In addition, approximately 63% of children exceed the Sedentary Behavior Guidelines.
Below are links to some resources that will help you promote physical activity and encourage the children in your lives to move more.
Full report on Physical Activity for Children and Youth:
http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/projects/reportcard.html
U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Youth
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/guidelines.htm
“Raising Healthy Children: Family Fitness”
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY114300.pdf
“Spring Forward with Fun, Healthy Physical Activities for the Whole Family”
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/downloads/matte23.pdf
Kerri Kreh Reda, M.P.H., is a Human Development Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 330 or at kkr5@cornell.edu.