Exercising outdoors 'should become natural to kids'
03/06/2010 Kids should be encouraged to take part in outdoor play activities a little bit at a time, according to one expert.
Speaking to US News and World Report, Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, said that just a few minutes of exercising outdoors will help contribute to the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
"Kids should be doing things appropriate for their age, so that [exercise] becomes a behaviour and a natural part of what they do," she explained.
Ms Brown added that it is important that parents act as role models, by exercising outdoors and taking part in outdoor play activities with their children as well.
Parents were also advised to not let physical disabilities get in the way of encouraging their kids to take part in outdoor play activities.
This follows on from the advice given by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis recently, who highlighted that exercising outdoors should be seen as a family activity and parents should ensure their kids have enough encouragement to take part in sports.
Speaking to US News and World Report, Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, said that just a few minutes of exercising outdoors will help contribute to the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
"Kids should be doing things appropriate for their age, so that [exercise] becomes a behaviour and a natural part of what they do," she explained.
Ms Brown added that it is important that parents act as role models, by exercising outdoors and taking part in outdoor play activities with their children as well.
Parents were also advised to not let physical disabilities get in the way of encouraging their kids to take part in outdoor play activities.
This follows on from the advice given by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis recently, who highlighted that exercising outdoors should be seen as a family activity and parents should ensure their kids have enough encouragement to take part in sports.
