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Winter weather poses an obstacle to normally active children when it's no longer easy to jump on a bike and ride or play outside.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's Authority on Fitness, offers advice on how to keep your kids active during the colder months.
"The trend toward inactivity in children is all too common during the winter months," said Debi Pilarella, 2004 ACE Fitness Director of the Year. "Kids are continuing to eat higher calorie foods and not working them off like they would in warmer weather. It's the parent's responsibility to make sure their child/children remain active when playing outside isn't an option."
* Take your kids with you for a gym workout. YMCAs and health clubs offer a warmer fitness alternative to outside and now have expanded programs for kids and parents.
* Head to the mall for a walk. Many malls are open early for morning walkers and are a great way to get physical activity with the kids.
* Make commercial time "movement time."
* Youth-fitness products keep kids busy indoors. There are a variety of youth-oriented fitness products parents can buy including at-home yoga kits and child exercise videos and games.
ACE recommends children get approximately 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but that can be broken up into intervals anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's Authority on Fitness, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2005, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net.
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