This is part two of a two-part series for National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Read part one, encourage healthy growth during childhood obesity awareness month.
While it may seem like our keiki have endless energy, it’s still important to ensure they’re getting enough daily physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children age 3 to 5 should be active throughout the day, and children 6 to 17 need to be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day.
With our busy schedules, squeezing in even more activity into our already packed days may feel overwhelming. However, you can’t overlook the health benefits of an active lifestyle, such as improving attention and memory, building muscle and endurance, and reducing the risk of chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes and obesity.
In observance of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in September, Jasmine Waipa, M.D., pediatrician at Keanuenue Pediatrics, discusses the importance of family involvement when it comes to increasing physical activity for our keiki and offers engaging suggestions to get your ohana moving.
Q&A with Jasmine Waipa, M.D.
Why is it good to get the whole family involved when it comes to exercise?
Our bodies are meant to move. The more we model healthy, active lifestyles for our children, the more likely they are to adopt that lifestyle as the norm.
Including the ohana is a great way to stay healthy together and strengthen family bonds. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), family bonding is crucial to a child’s development and well-being. Feeling safe and loved increases neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to change and adapt. This prepares them for challenges as they get older and gives them a better chance to grow up to be well-adjusted, independent adults.
What are some benefits of increased movement for children?
- Building skills such as coordination and gross motor and fine motor movement.
- Increasing strength, flexibility, and body awareness.
- Improving cardiovascular health.
- Instilling healthy habits at a young age.
What are some outdoor activity ideas?
Just running around outside and playing is extremely beneficial, especially to combat the effects of prolonged sitting. In Hawaii, we’re lucky to enjoy year-round weather that’s ideal for outdoor activity. Ideas include:
- Hiking, running, and walking.
- Planting a garden in the backyard or caring for a few potted plants.
- Sports such as soccer and basketball.
- Water sports, such as swimming, surfing, and paddling.
What are some tips for keeping active inside?
If the weather isn’t cooperating or you’d rather stay indoors, don’t solely rely on devices for entertainment. And if there is some screentime, make sure everyone takes frequent breaks to rest their eyes. Also, setting alarms can be a helpful way to remember to stand up and move our bodies.
Some ideas for indoor activities include:
- Building an indoor obstacle course.
- Competing in animal walk races.
- Creating an indoor scavenger hunt.
- Following an exercise video.
- Participating in a game of remote control freeze.
- Playing broom hockey, hide and seek, keepy uppy, or other interactive games.
- Practicing yoga.
- Throwing a dance party.
- Trying crab carry.
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