Obesity among children and adolescents has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Inadequate physical activity at school, play and home is a major cause of this largely preventable problem.
Nearly 50 percent of the children ages 8 through 16 watch three to five hours of television daily, according to the National Institutes of Health. Children who watch the most hours of television have the highest incidences of obesity.
Poor eating habits, and genetics to a lesser extent, also are responsible for the fact that one in five children now are overweight.
Youth master many life skills in the 4-H Bicycle Adventures project. These include physical fitness, recreation, transportation, entrepreneurship, engineering, economic and community development, career opportunities, leadership and public policy issues. Members also develop skills in making decisions, personal safety, planning and organizing.
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Holiday gifts that encourage increased physical activity include tricycles, bicycles, scooters, skates and skateboards, as well as some sports equipment. Child-powered vehicles help cardiovascular development as the heart, lungs and legs work to propel them, whereas power-wheel toy vehicles do not provide physically active play. Another advantage of children-propelled vehicles is that the operators develop balance, coordination, control and a sense of achievement, among other benefits.
Be sure to make wise choices of gifts to increase children's and adolescents' physical activity levels.
When selecting bicycles for older children, study the recipients' interests and physical abilities. For example, a child who likes to jump dirt mounds en route to a friend's house may prefer a 20-inch wheel BMX bike to a 24-inch street model. When possible, include the child in your shopping decision.
Compare quality and prices at retail and discount stores. Be sure a "good deal" is a result of high volume, not from cheap grade parts and assembly. Quality manufacturing standards are a safeguard against potential incidents.
Buy a gift that fits the recipient's physical and mental capabilities. Avoid a "grow into it" purchase, because a gift that is too big is dangerous to use.
Buy only a chain-driven bike with coaster brakes. Avoid "direct drive" toys with pedals directly attached to the front hub, because this means poor steering, no coasting and no brakes.
Never skimp on safety; always include appropriate protective equipment with the gift.
Each bicycle should include a helmet certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Safety experts recommend that children on scooters wear the same equipment used by in-line skaters and people riding skateboards. This should include a multipurpose helmet with the CPSC or Snell Memorial Foundation certification (N-94) wrist bands, padded gloves and knee and elbow pads.
Although bicycle helmets are effective in a forward scooter fall, most injury prevention groups recommend multipurpose helmets. These provide broader coverage for backward or side falls, and allow for continued use compared to single-use bicycle helmets.
Other ways to increase children's physical activity are to participate in soccer, tennis, basketball, and bowling, swimming and hiking, according to the NIH. Other activities may include washing the car, helping rake an invalid neighbor's yard, taking a senior citizen to walk or help with shopping and errands. Imagination is the only limitation to ways to help increase the whole families' physical activity.
By joining in these activities, parents and caregivers can help children and adolescents make physical activity a lifetime habit and bring families and friends closer together.
Contact the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service for more information on all 4-H Youth Development activities.
Post a Comment
