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Off the Couch
Summer Fitness for Kids
By Amy Carey
Planned activities like baseball camp aren't everyone's cup of tea, especially if money is tight in your household. "I take my kids on hikes through the woods, go rollerblading, and we organize kick ball games with other kids in the neighborhood," says Denise Nero, a certified personal fitness trainer who works with children. The pool is also a good place to meet other parents and have a chat while the kids enjoy the water.
But does it really matter if school-age children spend these months vegging out and enjoying a leisurely life of television and video games? Is exercise as important to kids as it is to adults? Many experts think it is.
"It is important for kids to learn exercise habits at a young age to keep their hearts strong and to prevent the many diseases associated with obesity," says Nero. "If kids learn exercise at a young age, those habits will likely stay with them throughout their life."
Charles Kuntzleman, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, suggests that children need at least one hour of physical exercise or activity a day to develop their muscles and bones properly. "Take them to the park as often as possible and let them play freely," he says. "After they have played for a half-hour or more, then try and get them to kick or throw a ball, throw a Frisbee or play tag with you chasing after them."
