Jun 3, 2017
The Huffington Post – Sophie Gallagher
“British children are some of the least active in the world, according to a new study, presented to the International Congress On Physical Activity and Public Health. Only 15% of girls and 22% of boys aged 11-15 in the UK, reach the government recommendation of at least an hour of moderate intensity physical activity per day, the study found. England and Wales were both scored D minus in the report, while Scotland was awarded a grade F. As a result it is becoming ever clearer that it is important for parents to encourage their kids to be more active. So here are five ways to get your child to be more physically active.”(more)
Jun 2, 2017
The Mankato Free Press – Alyssa Baker
“As a mother of two toddlers, I often feel like I’m not able to keep up the healthy habits I’d like for myself and my family. I tend to go through a cycle of trying really hard to create a healthy environment for my family to not trying at all, because there are just so many other priorities. So, rather than completely overhaul my family’s lifestyle, my plan is to adapt habits in a way that works for my family and start small with the hope of making healthy behaviors part of our routine. Here are some of my ideas — I encourage you to choose a few that stand out and give them a try too.”(more)
Jun 2, 2017
Daily Mail – Ben Spencer
“Girls who have televisions in their bedrooms are more likely than boys to become overweight, research has found. Seven-year-old girls with TVs in their rooms have a 30 per cent higher risk of being overweight by the time they are 11 than children without their own television set. For boys with a TV in their room the risk of becoming overweight goes up 20 per cent, the University College London team discovered. The researchers, who tracked more than 12,500 British children, found more than half had TVs in their bedroom at age seven. Researcher Dr Anja Heilmann, whose findings are published in the International Journal of Obesity, said: ‘Childhood obesity in the UK is a major public health problem,’ she said.”(more)
Jun 1, 2017
Time – Alice Park
“Exercise isn’t a cure for depression, but being active has been shown to alleviate some symptoms of depression in both teens and adults. Depending on the severity of the mood disorder, it could go a long way toward helping problems like negativity and rumination. Scientists are now investigating if the same benefits might apply to young children, an age group with increasing cases of depression. In a new report published in Pediatrics, researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology took advantage of data from nearly 800 six year olds who were asked about their exercise habits and depressive symptoms and followed up when they were eight and 10. Overall, children who exercised more, at a moderate to vigorous intensity, showed fewer depressive symptoms years later.”(more)
Jun 1, 2017
ABC News – Dr. Crystal Tan
” In the struggle against childhood obesity, doctors and parents have tried to engage and motivate kids to stay healthy. But a new study finds that programs aimed at parents — without the kids — may be just as effective a tool as therapies that include the whole family. Childhood obesity is an epidemic affecting one in three American kids who can expect to face severe consequences for life expectancy and quality as they become adults. Parents play the most significant role in establishing healthy environments and habits, so experts have welcomed them into treatment sessions with their children. This time-tested family-based model includes behavior therapy and nutrition and physical activity education for not only obese children, but also their parents. Family-based therapy is considered the gold-standard and has been the most effective intervention so far, experts say.”(more)
