Monte Carlo Casino
3770 Las Vegas Blvd S.
Las Vegas NV 89109 |
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| This restaurant is owned and operated by the McDonald's Corporation. |
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Exercise: A Family Affair Provided by | ||
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Regular physical activity is an important part of staying healthy and is recommended for children, adolescents, and adults. Only 25 percent of adults and less than 50 percent of young people in the |
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The problem is beginning earlier and earlier in life. The obesity rate includes over ten percent of preschoolers between ages two and five, and in 1999 over nine million or 15 percent of American children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19 years were overweight. This is very concerning for parents and the medical community. A major source of this problem is a decrease in energy expenditure stemming from more and more kids getting less and less exercise and regular physical activity. | ||
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There are several reasons for a decrease in physical activity in our youth. Children travel to school by bus or car; there has been a decline in physical education in school and an increase in sedentary activities at home. The average American child spends approximately 24 hours each week watching television. Some of this time could be spent doing some sort of physical activity. What can a parent do to keep their family members physically active and healthy? First, have a family meeting to discuss the reasons to make healthy choices in our lives. Talk to your children about weight. Allow them to share their concerns with you. Family involvement helps teach everyone healthful habits and does not single out the overweight child. Next, monitor sedentary activities like the television and computer use and set limits. Set a limit of less than 2 hours a day of television viewing or personal computing. As a parent it is also important to be a role model in decreasing sedentary activities and increasing physical activity. Then find ways to increase the activity level of everyone in your family. Young persons may not choose to participate in organized youth sports because of unfavorable experiences in the past. Find alternative activities that the child feels comfortable in performing. These could include exercise bikes, treadmills, modified games such as soccer, football and basketball. The important thing is that the entire family should do the activity together. Make it a point to set aside time every day! Other activities like flexibility exercises and supervised muscle strengthening can complement the activity program. | ||
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Parents can lead their families in becoming more physically active by making small changes gradually. Finding activities that are enjoyable will ensure the success of staying active. A parent that stays active and enjoys it will be an example for his/her children to stay active throughout their lives. A family that stays active will improve their health now and in the future. This article was generated by the | |
