Ramilies> Active Kids Learn Better (NAPSA)—Parents can help their children take the right steps toward fitness. That’s a particularly good is ‘S thing, because children today tend to be less active than in generations past. Twenty-five percent ofall chil- dren watch at least four hours of television daily. Most children sit on the bus or in a car pool rather than expending their own energyto get to and from school. Although health experts recommendthat children be active an hour a day, fewer than 25 percent get even 30 minutesof daily activity. This decrease in physical activ- ity contributes significantly to America’s burgeoning childhood obesity rates. Nine million Ameri- organization that works inclusively times more than in 1980. els to encourage sustained improvements in school nutrition and physi- can children are overweight, three Schools are uniquely positioned to reverse these alarming trends, and ensure that children get the physical activity and physical education they need. What’s more, educators have discovered the academic potential of getting kids out of their seats. Physically active students have demonstrated higher test scores, better concentration and less disruptive behavior even when class time has been reduced to allow for extra timeto be active. Faced with pressure to improve test scores, however, some schools eliminated recess to provide more at the national, state and local lev- cal activity practices. A federal mandate requires most schools to implement a Local Well- ness Policy. Created at the district level, Local Wellness Policies set goals for physical activity and physical education, as well as nutrition education and nutrition standards for foods available at school. Action for Healthy Kids encourages parents to learn about their children’s school’s policy and find out how to help. Here are a fewtips: Get Children to Move More Teach children to spot oppor- tunities to move, such as parking class time. Often, parents are not aware that schools aren't providing adequate opportunities for physical at the end of a parkinglot. e Bike or walk wherever possible. Use the car as a last resort. parents thought their children’s ing pool” to replace the car pool in activity. In a national survey, most schools were doing a “good” to “excellent” job making daily physical education available to all students. Fewer than 8 percent of schools, however, actually provide students with daily physical education. The survey was conducted by Action for Healthy Kids, a nonprofit e Establish an escorted “walk- your neighborhood. Promote Safe Routes to School so children can walk or bike safely. Join an Action for Healthy Kids Team to promote student wellness. For more information, visit www.ActionForHealthyKids.org.
