15 Oct 2008
I recently attended the launch event for the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The guidelines are designed so people can easily fit physical activity into their daily lives and incorporate activities they enjoy. A guide for adults promotes this mindset through the slogan, "Be Active Your Way."
The National Wildlife Federation released a statement from Vice President for Education and Training, Kevin Coyle, commending the Secretary of Health and Human Service for launching this important initiative. He also urged Americans to implement the guidelines by trading screen time for green time and getting outside for a Green Hour.
Dr. Steven Galson, MD, the Acting U.S. Surgeon General, spoke at the launch event and had some great ideas on how kids can be active. "They can climb trees, they can go on the playground, they can do hopping and skipping games," said Galson. Sounds like a Green Hour to me!
The guidelines for children and adolescents (ages 6-17) include:
- Children and adolescents should have 1 hour or more of physical activity every day.
- Most of that hour should be either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.
- Children and adolescents should do vigorous-intensity activity on at least 3 days per week. They also should do muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activity at least 3 days per week.
We need your help:
If you haven't already, please check out the National Wildlife Federation's petition to the U.S. Surgeon General, urging him to announce a call to action on getting kids outside for a Green Hour every day to benefit children's mental and physical health.
Patrick Fitzgerald is the National Wildlife Federation's Senior Legislative Representative for Environmental Education Campaigns.
|
