Being Active
Here are some key tips for being active and having fun!
Get Moving
- Moving your body is fun and helps your body be healthy and strong.
- All types of physical activities like playing, dancing, and sports are good for you.
- Do something active every day.
Advanced Information on Physical Activity
It is important for kids to be physically activity for at least 1 hour every day. When regular activity is not part of a healthy lifestyle, kids are more likely to develop diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis when they grow up. Physical activity tends to decline as children enter the adolescent years, and inactive kids and teens are more likely to grow into sedentary adults.
Play Hard
- Doing activities that make you sweat or breathe hard will make you strong and keep your bones and heart healthy.
- Playing hard is fun when it’s something you like to do.
- Do an activity that makes you sweat or breathe hard at least 3 times per week.
Advanced Information on Playing Hard
Vigorous activities are games and sports that are more intense than fast walking. They make you sweat and your heart beat faster.
Kids should get at least 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity on 3 or more days per week.
Hydration
- Water is the best thirst quencher.
- Drink water when you are thirsty and before, during, and after physical activity.
- Drink water instead of juice or soda at every snack and meal.
Advanced Information on Hydration
Water is the best drink for kids. It is calorie free, hydrates children, and is low-cost from your nearest tap! Kids do not need sport and energy drinks because most sports drinks are designed for endurance athletes who exercise for hours at high intensity. They contain lots of sugar and calories.
Most tap water in the United States is safe to drink, but if you or your parents your are concerned about the safety of your local water supply check out The Environmental Protection Agency’s annual water quality reports: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/whereyoulive.html.
Tune Out TV
- Moving your body keeps you fit!
- Do something active instead of watching TV playing videogames, or spending time on the computer.
Advanced Information on TV
Television viewing is the most common sedentary activity of kids in the United States. Every day 8- to 18-year-olds spend about 4 hours watching TV and DVDs, over an hour on the computer and almost an hour playing video games! Excess TV viewing can lead to less physical activity, overeating, and a higher risk for becoming overweight. This is because kids are not active when they watch TV, they tend to snack more, and they see lots of advertising for high calorie, high sugar foods like candy, soda, and fast foods.