Released January 15, 2009
MADISON, Wisc. -- For both children and adults, research shows that an active lifestyle can be the key to building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints; controlling weight; increasing self esteem; reducing stress; and promoting social well being.
And as if that weren’t enough, physical exercise also plays a role in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that physical activity decreases the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, breast cancer, osteoporosis, obesity and cardiovascular disease and helps in the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity.
“Being physically active is important for people of all ages,” says Dawn Doperalski, 4-H youth development agent for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Langlade County. “Getting involved in activities that you enjoy is the key to establishing and maintaining an active lifestyle.”
Doperalski is part of a team of UW-Extension educators who teach people how to eat healthier and get more physical activity based on current research findings.
“Studies show that people begin to establish patterns of health-related behaviors during childhood and adolescence--sometimes even as early as the preschool years,” says Doperalski. She offers tips for parents and other adults to help children develop a positive attitude toward physical activity early in life.
--Encourage kids to experiment and play actively. “Get down on the floor with your kids and pretend you are swimming in the ocean. Pretend the backyard is a tropical jungle that you need to hike through to find an ancient treasure. Your child can pretend to be a kangaroo and practice hopping,” Doperalski says.
--Encourage fitness activities that children can enjoy throughout their lifetimes, such as judo, tennis, racquetball, golf, swimming, yoga, hiking, dancing and ice skating.
--Provide physical and social environments that encourage safe and fun physical activity. “For example, in the evening, ride bikes along well-lit, well-groomed bike trails. Or encourage your child to participate in organized school athletics,” Doperalski says.
--Communities can develop community sports and recreation programs that are attractive to all young people. The 4-H program may offer a volleyball or softball league; the Boys and Girls Club may offer an open gym for shooting hoops; or a community coalition may offer a walking or bike riding program for young people.
--Help kids understand the importance of being physically active—but make it fun. “Go for family bike rides. Toss a ball around outside. Go for a hike out in the woods. Make physical activity time family fun time,” Doperalski suggests.
Adults, too, need to find ways to maintain active lifestyles. Doperalski offers these suggestions.
--Make being active a routine part of your day. Plan to meet friends for an early morning walk around the neighborhood; walk during your lunch break; and take the dog for a walk everyday.
--Find activities that you enjoy and look forward to doing on a regular basis.
--Take advantage of seasonal opportunities to be active. Work in the garden or yard in the spring, swim in the summer, take hikes or ride your bicycle and enjoy the fall colors in the autumn. Enjoy ice skating with your children in the winter.
--Look for opportunities in your community where you can be active with others who share your interests. Many communities have facilities that offer water aerobics, yoga classes or low impact activities for adults who may not be able to participate in more intense activities.
To learn more about promoting better health through physical activity and sports, visit the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalactivity/promoting_health. For more information on being physically active for a lifetime, contact your local county Extension office.
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http://www.uwex.edu/news/2009/01/active-lifestyle-sets-the-stage-for-good-health
Contact: Dawn Doperalski, (715) 627-6236
