Change your life without being patronised by the government
The cross-government campaign, Change4life, launched on 2nd of January 2009 with aims to help families eat well, move more and live longer. The results are now in from a massive survey they have conducted into family life.
It was revealed that 72 per cent of children are not getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily activity outside of school. Children are watching TV or playing non-active video games before school, and only 22 per cent of kids did something active after their evening meal.
Minister for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo said: “Our survey shows that kids just aren’t getting up and about as much as they should. If we’re going to cut obesity levels our children need to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.
“Families up and down the country are getting tailor made action plans from Change4Life, and our new ads will give additional encouragement to help families feel the difference.
“By eating better and moving more, we can all live longer and healthier lives. With continued support from Change4Life this can be a reality for every family in England.”
The recommended amount of daily activity for children and young people should be at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Twice a week this should include activities to improve bone health, muscle strength and flexibility.
All the daily activity can be done in one session or in shorter bouts of 10 minutes or more. Physical activity and play count, also would structured exercise or sport.
Do we really need the government to tell us what we already know? Is this not just a little bit obvious? Apparently with results like this it seems we need telling.
Keeping kids active from toddling onwards is so important to their health and well-being. It doesn’t have to be expensive and can be as exciting or diverse as you want to make it.
Really simple obvious suggestions for keeping kids fit
Don’t drive to school or playgroup, walk
If you have 24 hour kids TV then ban it. Restrict viewing to set times so it isn’t bumping away all day
Don’t sit in on a weekend, get out the house and do something. There are plenty of free tourist attractions in every city if money is a struggle.
Join movement and music groups from when your child walks, typically from £2.50 a session.
Toddler sports clubs and groups will have your active child burning off excess energy and getting fit.
Playgroups and toddler groups will give your child a larger space to socially interact and usually run around with large wheeled toys that won’t fit in your house.
Walk to the local library and improve fitness and literacy.
Kicking a ball around the local park or using the climbing frames costs nothing.
Keep children active indoors building dens, playing with ball pool balls.
If you have a garden get them outdoors digging and planting their own fruit, vegetables and flowers. Even if you don’t have a garden then use an easy clean floor in your house and use window boxes.
Encourage your child in a sport, dance, or swimming, it doesn’t have to be expensive if you look out drop-in sessions or pay weekly. |It will be cheaper then having to buy games for the console anyway.