Get Fit, Stay Fit

by Pam Oviatt, Program Coordinator, Ohio Ready to Learn

Help children get fit and stay healthy by encouraging them to play! Active, physical play, especially outdoors, is important in fighting childhood obesity. All young children should get at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Through play, children develop basic movement skills. The best way to reinforce those basic movement skills is for adults to play with young children. When playing with children inside, create areas where children can crawl, hop, jump and roll. Exercise with children either indoors or outdoors.

If children are going to watch television, pick shows such as Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Dragon Tales and Arthur, which have physical activity built into the programs. Watch the shows together and jump, dance and move to the music. Young children are much more likely to do physical activities if family members are doing them too.

When everyone gets thirsty from all the physical activity, reach for water to drink rather than sweetened drinks such as fruit juices and pop. Limit young children’s intake of fruit juices to no more than 6 ounces per day. Eat fruits, vegetables and low-fat items such as pretzels and popcorn for snacks. Substitute fresh fruits and vegetables for chips, french fries and other high-calorie, high-fat foods whenever possible. Children will begin to develop a taste for nutritious foods instead of french fries and other high-fat foods.

You can help your preschooler develop lifelong wellness habits such as eating nutritious foods and being physically active that will not only fight childhood obesity, but also adult obesity. Children who are fit are more likely to become healthy, fit adults.

So, this summer, get outside and play with your child. When everyone is done playing, reach for a healthy snack!