Let's Get Physical! |
Strategies for family fitness
The world has changed from the days when children spent most of their free time playing outside with their neighbourhood pals. Today’s kids prefer watching TV, playing video games and surfing the net. The evidence is in – the change from traditional street play to the modern obsession with technology has led to a generation of overweight children. In fact, research shows that more than half of Canadian children are not active enough for optimal growth and development, with 25 percent being considered obese.
While it is good news that there is a renewed awareness of the importance of active play, parents often find it difficult to change their kids’ unhealthy habits. One forward-thinking Halifax mom, Holly Bond, became so frustrated that she developed an innovative business: a state of the art fitness club for kids designed to entice technologically savvy children into more active pursuits. These clubs, known as Bulldog Interactive Fitness, are now being franchised all over Canada.
Husband and wife, Lou and Mary-Lou Martinez, recently opened a branch of Bulldog in midtown Toronto. “Our equipment links up with video game technology to provide an engaging and interactive experience for kids that turns exercise into play – the kids don’t even know they’re working out – to them they are just playing, which is what kids should be doing,” says Lou.
Another trend has been a move away from adult-only fitness clubs to facilities where the entire family can be active. The Pavilion, which bills itself as Canada’s largest family fitness centre, opened last year in Thornhill. Here families play basketball and ping pong or go for a swim in a large saltwater pool. Family change rooms add to the ease of bringing your children. As well, there are specialty kids programs, such as hip-hop dancing, yoga, hoops, and rock climbing. There is even an area with resistance machines that are specifically designed for children.
It is never too early to involve your child in some type of active play. Ramani Jayakumar, manager of one of Toronto’s Ontario Early Years Centres, says that child-initiated active play lays a foundation for learning and academic success. “While the rough and tumble of play is a natural preventative for the current epidemic of childhood obesity …children (also) learn to interact with others, develop language skills …solve problems and discover their human potential.
Her centre and others throughout the GTA offer free programs such as Shake Rattle and Roll, which provides an hour of fitness and fun activities for parents and children under the age of six. Indoor playgrounds also are a good choice, as they offer a safe environment where younger children can engage in unstructured free play.
But even without joining a gym or going to programs, there is much that can be done within the family to promote active play.
Mari Caravaggio, Physical Activity Coordinator for the City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department, says that finding the right activity can take time so just start off by getting your child moving. She suggests taking a hike together, going swimming or skating and walking whenever possible to school, the library, or the store. One creative idea she has for television lovers is to play Action TV. “Create action cards, then during commercials pick a card that promotes activity such as sit ups, jumping jacks, or climbing stairs and then do that activity,” offers Caravaggio.
Experts note that singling out one child as being inactive can feel punitive so it is best to encourage the whole family to make healthy changes. Check out Health Canada’s website (healthcanada.ca/paguide) for the downloadable physical activity guides. They have plenty of tips on how kids and parents can commit to increased daily periods of active time. There is even a physical activity chart to post on the fridge with reward stickers for whenever your child does something fun and active, such as tobogganing, skateboarding or even building a snowman.
Finally, the federal government has instituted a tax subsidy to get children involved in active play. As of January 2007, parents will receive a $500 tax credit for enrolling their children in physical activity programs. What a great incentive for a New Year’s resolution: to get your family moving!
WEBSITES
Ontario Early Years Centres
ontarioearlyyears.ca/oeyc/en/
home.htm
Bulldog Interactive Fitness:
bulldoginteractivefitness.com
The Pavilion:
thepavilion.ca
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