1 hour of Physical Activity
Fit Kids
Physical Activity. It's not just for recess anymore.
According to recent statistics, more than one in five 5-11 year olds in North Carolina is overweight, putting them at risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and social and psychological problems such as poor self-esteem and discrimination. The chances that an overweight child will become an overweight adult are nearly 70%.
Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are the major contributors to childhood overweight. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that children be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day. In North Carolina, only half of middle school youth report getting at least 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity, and only 25.3% report getting at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days.
There are many benefits to adopting a physically active lifestyle. They include:
- Reduces risk for weight gain which can lead to disease
- Increases energy
- Helps children improve their self-esteem
- Combats depression
About Fit Kids
The Fit Kids initiative, launched in 2006, is a program to get NC youth healthy and active. In its first phase, HWTF has set out to train all K-8 teachers on practical ways to create active and healthy classroom environments, helping them meet the State Board of Education’s mandate of 30 minutes of physical activity per school day. These training sessions and related activities on the Fit Kids Web site provide teachers an opportunity to receive continuing education units (CEUs) that support their state-required teaching accreditation.
Visit the Fit Kids website to learn more