Help Overweight Kids Exercise
Unique Physical Activity Programs in the USA
Parents know it is not just poor nutrition, but inactivity too, that results in overweight and obese kids. Many kids these days are still watching a lot of television and playing video games instead of running, jumping and playing. Here are ideas that are taking hold around the US to help kids get moving and lead healthier, normal-weight lifestyles.
The IronKids Triathlon Competition
IronKids is a triathlon program focusing on kids 6 to 15. The contest is this summer at various cities around the country. At ironkids.com, the stated mission is to “…inspire and motivate youth through the sport to lead an active, positive and healthy lifestyle.” The weekend events are for the whole family who will watch their children take part in age-appropriate swimming, biking and running. The new sponsor this year, the World Triathlon Corporation, will set up and donate fitness playgrounds in the host cities.
The Fitwize 4 Kids Fitness Clubs
Fitwize 4 Kids is a fitness club just for kids that advanced practice nurse Carleen Varga set up in 2005 in the first of its kind in Illinois. Through her concern for overweight kids, she searched for a great kids’ exercise program and Fitwize 4 Kids fit the bill.
Focusing on ages 6 to 15, the unique club combines fitness and fun with a full-body circuit-style workout. The club also offers nutrition classes, field trips and more to teach a healthy lifestyle. Many states across the US now offer the franchised program, with summer 2009 fitness camps on tap.
The Virtual Reality of Exergaming
Many overweight kids will not participate in sports for fear of being made fun of; their self-images would suffer even more. A phenomenon called exergaming is turning around kids’ aversion to physical activity; it combines technology with physical exercise. Dr. Kyle McInnis of the University of Massachusetts has found that 84% of kids will stick with an activity involving exergaming.
West Virginia bought into exergaming in 2006, with plans to install Konami's Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) in all its public schools. DDR made its US appearance in 1999; it uses sensor dance pads on the floor connected to interactive music that gives a many-leveled aerobic workout. Now, many schools across the US use DDR in their physical education classes.
Taking exergaming to the next level, Nintendo’s Wii Sports and Wii Fit promote child and family fitness as well as togetherness. Wildly popular – and a good starter system for couch potatoes because it is fun and convenient – kids can play tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing in their own home.
With Wii Fit, the family can play games that accent aerobics, strength-training, yoga or balance. Experts seem to agree that for the present time the Wii systems can complement but not take the place of real physical activity, but they are fun, entertaining and promote family unity.
The Power of the World’s Kids Exercising Together
Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously), billed as the world’s largest exercise class, was created in 1989 by children’s fitness innovator Len Saunders. Although participation is all year, it’s celebrated the first Wednesday of May when millions of kids round the world all exercise together (May 6 this year at 10 a.m. local time). Project ACES promotes physical fitness, camaraderie and counteracts the stereotype of sedentary kids. Teachers and schools can form a Project ACES club and get free materials.
Ideas to Help Overweight Kids
Besides working on attaining a normal weight, benefits for kids of physical activity are supporting heart health, reducing stress, improving self-image and practicing social skills. Ways to help your overweight child lead a healthier lifestyle are:
- Encourage competitions such as IronKids.
- Join a kids-only fitness club like FitWize 4 Kids.
- Do virtual physical activity in the exergaming vein like Wii Fit.
- Use group motivation such as Project ACES.
Reference
“Helping Kids Become More Active.” Suite 101, accessed April 21, 2009.
Saunders, Len. The Project Aces Handbook. Durham, North Carolina: Great Activities Publishing Company, 2004.
Exercise is good for kids.
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Friends support kids' exercise.
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Jumping rope is aerobic.
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