Active Kids, Active Families
Sunday, May 01, 2005
By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published May 2005, Parent & Family
Little kids are built to be active. As any parent can tell you, most preschoolers hit the ground running, and don’t stop until they fall into bed at night. Unfortunately, this activity level often declines as childhood progresses, and falls off dramatically in adolescence. We need to change this. Obesity (which is partially due to inactivity) has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and countless other diseases. Exercise, on the other hand, has been correlated with increased fitness, improved self-esteem and enhanced social skills. Inactivity or fitness: which of these routes will you choose for your child’s future?
