We decided to place our “Public Health” sticker at a local playground in Lettuce Lake Park. We chose this location because we are currently living in a society where technology is everywhere we go and we spend so much of our day sitting in front of a screen. It’s becoming more and more difficult for children to find a healthy way to exercise. Our youth are being robbed of the things that came so naturally to us as children, such as the pleasure of playing in a park or in the back yard.
This represents a Public Health issue because childhood obesity is on the rise due to a sedentary lifestyle. It is also an important issue because of recent statistical data showing that there is an increasing number of children becoming extremely active in the technological world of video games and chat rooms rather than being active outside.
This issue is very important because children aren’t exactly in control of what they consume or of getting enough exercise. Parent’s have a responsibility over their children and this means making sure that they get enough exercise. By visiting a park a few times a week you can make sure that your child gets some exercise without even realizing that’s what he/she is doing. They’ll be too busy having fun to notice that they’re burning calories. Which if you think about is, exactly how it should be. Children shouldn’t have to worry about weight issues.
With busy work schedules and fast paced lifestyles, families don’t always spend enough time together. A visit to the park will give families the opportunity to enjoy family life, as well as the chance to live a healthier one by sneaking in some fitness.
Posted by: Lawanya Jeyaselvan, Andrea Martinez & Blanca Soto
Maria Rincon: Using parks as a mode of fun recreation and a method of activity to get kids involved in a healthier lifestyle is an excellent idea. Although the technological world provides us with a variety of tools for staying fit and participating in physical activities, including games such as Wii Fit, local parks give parents a cost effective and entertaining way of both maintaining some physical activity in the household, and showing kids that it is possible to have fun away from a screen. Besides the physical benefits of exercise, there’s another important part of a well-rounded lifestyle that often gets dismissed: the significance of family time. With today’s struggling economy, and parents needing to work longer hours to support their families, family time and the emotional bonds and guidance of parents can be lost, and are often replaced with negative influences. By using the park as a resource, parents can elevate the level of physical activity and strengthen the emotional connection between parents and children, a significant factor in the proper development of growing individuals.
ReplyDeleteI think the little people (children) can definitely benefit more if they spent less time playing video games and more time exercising. I believe that not only would it improve their health, but it will also improve their lifestyle as the little people become adults. Habits form from an early age and having the habit of exercising as a child has a tremendous lifetime effect. Exercising also helps the child develop a sense of self, because they are forced to be creative when they are playing in a playground. When a child plays video games, they may learn tactic skills, but they do not use their creative minds to create. Exercise for children will also improve their health and their performance in school. I honestly find it ironic that almost every child has Attention Deficit Disorder, when all they need is really some playtime and exercise!
ReplyDeleteDanielle Gergeres