It can seem like kids are constantly on the move. But many hours of children’s days are spent sitting at school or in front of computers, mobile devices or TVs. According to Elizabeth Anne Huffman, M.D., a pediatrician at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, this drastically reduces the daily activity level of many patients she sees.
“Regular exercise has many health benefits for children – and adults, too,” she says. “It helps us all maintain a healthy weight and build strong bones, muscles and joints. Exercise is also an excellent stress buster, encourages better sleep and will help your child concentrate at school.”
With a little effort and an awareness of the dangers of too much time spent sitting, families can become more active and have fun along the way.