FAMILY MATTERS: Active Outdoor Play
Are kids getting enough?

» GO FOR WALKS, JOGS OR BIKE RIDES DAILY
Set aside time each day to go for a walk, run, jog or bike ride. Any of these activities will offer a good amount of exercise, and help you burn calories.

Walking at a speed of 3 miles per hour will burn 280 calories every 60 minutes; bicycling will burn 450 calories per hour; jogging at 5 miles per hour will burn 500 calories; and running, 700 plus calories per hour.

» ENROLL KIDS IN SPORTS
Kids will burn some serious calories if they participate in sports after school. A teenager whose weight averages 155 pounds will burn 281 calories per hour participating in a competitive volleyball game; 563 calories per hour in a basketball game or tennis match; 633 calories playing competitive football; and 844 calories per hour rowing.

The ability to burn a high number of calories in a short time isn't the only benefit kids get from competitive sports. They also teach children of all ages how to function as a member of a team, how to strategize, and the importance of giving it their all.

» GET A PLAY SET
If you have younger kids, you don't want to wait until they're of school age to make sure they're getting adequate amounts of exercise. Encourage them to stay active by putting a play set in the backyard. Courtesy of ARAcontent

There is an epidemic sweeping our nation and if things don't change soon, there are going to be some serious repercussions. According to the American Association of Obesity, today's youth are considered the most inactive generation in history.

Instead of riding bikes, playing on playgrounds and participating in sports, many American kids are spending the majority of their free time sitting around. They're watching TV, playing video games, working on the computer and text messaging.

And they're not eating very well. According to the American Dietetic Association, instead of choosing healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and pretzels, too many kids are filling up on junk food.

Poor diet combined with a lack of activity explains why approximately 30.3 percent of American children ages 6 to 11 are now overweight and 15.3 percent are obese. In addition, 30.4 percent of children ages 12 to 19 are overweight and 15.5 percent are obese.

Excess weight in childhood and adolescence has been found to be a good indicator that a person will remain overweight as an adult. Dangers associated with being heavy as an adult include coronary heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure.

The American Dietetic Association blames kids' lack of activity on reductions in school physical education programs and the lack of access to community recreational facilities. But some of the blame lies on parents, too.

What can you do to turn things around for your child? A good place to start is by showing your son or daughter that you're serious about improving the situation.