Family Medicine Video Health Tip Scott Robins, DO Western Hills Medical Clinic How to Make Fitness a Family Activity From 1980 to 2008, rates of childhood obesity in the U.S. increased from 6.5 percent to 19.6 percent. The health benefits of daily exercise in kids includes improved heart health, stronger muscles and bones, improved concentration at school, and a decreased likelihood of Type 2 diabetes. Many people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight. Obesity and lack of physical exercise are two of the most common causes of this form of diabetes. Common symptoms include severe increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, increased hunger, and tingling of your hands or feet. Your doctor can order tests to help confirm a diagnosis of diabetes. Exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, diet, managing blood sugar levels and use of medication (if prescribed by your doctor) can help control Type 2 diabetes to maximize health and minimize complications. So, whether your kids are at risk for diabetes, orjust need to get active, here are some great ways to make physical activity a family affair. • Sign up for a 5k or charity walk together. Training for the race, and then running the race, brings the family together to have fun. Plus, you get to support a special cause. • Utah has great hiking opportunities designed for all levels of physical fitness. Schedule a day or weekend trip to a new destination. • If you’re not into hiking, go for a bike ride together. Again, there are hundreds of miles of bike trails throughout northern Utah. • If you have small children, set up a scavenger hunt in the neighborhood or a nearby park, or create an obstacle course in your back yard. • Doing yard work or house cleaning together, teaches kids responsibility, team work, and provides physical activity. • And if you’re really having a hard time pulling the kids away from the TV, then you might want to try fitness video games. These games make working out fun for the whole family, and allow you to set a good example for your kids.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 17:17:38 +0000