With the London Olympics just 36 days away, researchers are hoping that the media coverage and hype of the games will inspire young children and teenagers to get involved with sport and become more active.
A key point made by a recent BBC report highlighted the lack of 'sporting' role-models for children to aspire to, suggesting a need for making sport more accessible, providing better opportunities and publicising positive female role-models. But why is it that to inspire young children to do sport or activity, we have to look for external sources when the solution is potentially right in front of them....You.
You are the role-models for these 'inactive' children, who according to research are active for only 20 minutes a day... 20 MINUTES A DAY...Is that it?
Guidelines recommend that children AND adults should be active for at least 30-60 minutes a day. Are you?Further studies have found that exercising in childhood not only increases the likelihood of being healthier later in life, but also improves behaviour & concentration, and even increases bone mineral density, which decreases the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis in adulthood.
Since there is constant publication of research and advice regarding exercise, we need not reminding that to be healthy we should eat good quality food, not over-indulge and exercise daily. But as the Olympics approach, why not consider how much activity you do, set yourself new active goals and motivate yourself to keep fit. Since by doing that you are more likely to inspire those around you to do the same. And that, I feel, is a more positive and responsible way of tackling issues of childhood obesity, and increasing the amount of activity amongst children today.
Lara :)
Paediatric Osteopath - London Bridge
References:
Journal of Pediatrics - Vol 136:Issue 2:Pages 156-162 (February 2000).
BBC Report: 'Urgent need to get primary school children active' June 21st 2012 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18519193
A key point made by a recent BBC report highlighted the lack of 'sporting' role-models for children to aspire to, suggesting a need for making sport more accessible, providing better opportunities and publicising positive female role-models. But why is it that to inspire young children to do sport or activity, we have to look for external sources when the solution is potentially right in front of them....You.
You are the role-models for these 'inactive' children, who according to research are active for only 20 minutes a day... 20 MINUTES A DAY...Is that it?
Guidelines recommend that children AND adults should be active for at least 30-60 minutes a day. Are you?Further studies have found that exercising in childhood not only increases the likelihood of being healthier later in life, but also improves behaviour & concentration, and even increases bone mineral density, which decreases the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis in adulthood.
Since there is constant publication of research and advice regarding exercise, we need not reminding that to be healthy we should eat good quality food, not over-indulge and exercise daily. But as the Olympics approach, why not consider how much activity you do, set yourself new active goals and motivate yourself to keep fit. Since by doing that you are more likely to inspire those around you to do the same. And that, I feel, is a more positive and responsible way of tackling issues of childhood obesity, and increasing the amount of activity amongst children today.
Lara :)
Paediatric Osteopath - London Bridge
References:
Journal of Pediatrics - Vol 136:Issue 2:Pages 156-162 (February 2000).
BBC Report: 'Urgent need to get primary school children active' June 21st 2012 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18519193
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