Originally published August 22 2005
Kids need more than gym class to keep fit, fitness experts say
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Some kids only get one day's worth of exercise in a whole week of gym classes, which isn't enough, according to fitness experts.
Are your kids going back to school?
Then they're probably heading back to gym class, too.
But don't think that means they'll be getting enough exercise to stay healthy, fitness experts say.
Physical education classes alone won't keep students in shape, says Diana Everett, executive director of the Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, a nonprofit organization for educators.
Kids should find healthful after-school activities they enjoy too, she says, even if it's something that's not considered exercise.
In a week, Everett says, some students have only 90 minutes of physical education.
But her organization recommends that kids get that much activity each day.
And doing more after school, she says, carries other benefits.
Instead of thinking of exercise as something they have to do, kids can find healthful activities they like to do.
One key for getting kids to be active is for parents to be active, too, experts say.
Melinda Smith, coordinator for health and physical education in the Plano, Texas, school district, regularly makes time to swim, walk or bicycle with her 5-year-old son.
Put up a basketball hoop near your garage, encourage children to go outside and play with friends, or enroll them in gymnastics, soccer or ballet classes to see what they're good at.
Sailing, fishing, yoga, Pilates, rock wall climbing, skateboarding, horseback riding and riflery are healthful activities that get children outdoors and onto their feet.
Even some chores have the added benefit of getting children outdoors -- raking leaves, for example.
Smith says her family washed their car together in the driveway "just to stay active."
"You want to think about activities that don't require lots of equipment," Smith says.
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