Our Children: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

By Dolores Young

As our children reach their pre-teen and teen years, some parents start to notice that their children are not as active as they used to be. Researchers tell us that obesity rates are on the rise for children, teens and adults, so parents are right to be concerned about their child's level of physical activity.

A healthy body may not guarantee a healthy mind, but it goes a long way in ensuring that our children are on the right path. Recent research suggests that young people who are physically active scholastically out-perform their less-active peers. Being engaged in physical activity on a daily basis refreshes the mind, rejuvenates the body and keeps a child healthier, happier and mentally sharper.

So, what can we as parents do to help promote a healthy, active lifestyle in our children?

First, ask yourself a few questions: is your child getting enough exercise, are they sleeping enough, do they eat nutritional foods in appropriate quantities? If you are concerned about the answer to any of these questions, you may need to provide some guidance and direction to help your child become healthier. In today's environment of multi media and computer games, encouraging children to be more active is a key for wellness for life.

There are a number of things that parents can do to promote physical activity in their children. For instance, be active with your children. There are many things you can do: raking, gardening, walking, playing a sport together. It is important for kids to see adults leading active, healthy, balanced lives.

We can also encourage our children to try different team and individual sports and fitness activities. At some point in their experience, hopefully a passion is sparked or an interest in developed that will result in life-long involvement. Most cities and towns have a number of organized minor sports to choose from, as well as activity programs run through municipal recreation departments. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in before- or after-school sports, as well as physical education classes.

As a Physical and Health Educator, I believe that Phys Ed classes and school-based teams and activities are very important in fostering involvement in sports. I work at Rothesay Netherwood School, a private boarding and day school in New Brunswick, where every student at our school is involved in four out of the five days of competitive or recreational sports. This is over and above their physical education classes which are mandatory in grades 6 through 10.

There is no instant solution, but the great thing about physical activity and sport is that it is never too late to start. With encouragement and opportunity, your child can become more active, and lead a healthier, more balanced life.