Summer Fun

What are your children doing this Summer? Encourage them to get outside and play - as often as possible. Take them to the park for some late evening running and play time - or head out to the local pool for some fun in the water!

Childhood and adolescence are vital periods times to lay the foundation for lifelong fitness and physical activity. Unfortunately, too many young people, especially girls, are not active enough. As children grow into adolescence, their participation in physical activity declines dramatically. A recent government health organization report tells us, almost half our young people aged 12 to 21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis and 14 percent are completely inactive. For some reason young girls are twice as likely to be inactive as young boys.

These are alarming, and potentially dangerous trends. What can we do to change them?

A regular, preferably daily routine of at least 30-45 minutes of exercise - like brisk walking, bicycling, or even dancing will reduce the risks of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes. Regular exercise and physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety; help control weight; and help build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints!

We need to provide more quality school-based physical education for girls. We can encourage girls to get involved in sports and physical activity at an early age. We can challenge those age old stereotypes that impede girls’ participation in some sports.

The conclusions are clear - regular physical activity can reduce girls’ risk of many of the chronic diseases of adulthood. Numerous studies have shown that female athletes do better academically and have lower school drop-out rates than their nonathletic peers. Regular exercise and physical activity can enhance girls’ mental health, reducing symptoms of stress and depression and improving self-esteem.

Lets encourage our youth to get out and have some fun this Summer. Or, better yet - join them for some great family fun in the Sun!