Outdoor play activities 'could help tackle childhood obesity'
10/02/2010 Outdoor play activities can help make children healthier and more alert, it has been claimed.
According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in the US, encouraging kids to play outdoors should form part of first lady Michelle Obama's new campaign to tackle childhood obesity.
"Time unplugged and playing outside in nature should be an integral part of the first lady's initiative," said Rebecca Garland, executive director of NWF's Be Out There campaign.
"Best of all, getting children outside for unstructured play time comes at no cost. Parents just need to open up the back door and let kids do what comes naturally."
Earlier this month, the charity, along with more than 200 health, conservation, youth, and other organisations, and 16,300 Americans urged surgeon general Regina Benjamin to make time outdoors a health priority for children.
Researchers at Ohio State University recently found that family meals, a good night's sleep and cutting down on TV all help reduce childhood obesity.
According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in the US, encouraging kids to play outdoors should form part of first lady Michelle Obama's new campaign to tackle childhood obesity.
"Time unplugged and playing outside in nature should be an integral part of the first lady's initiative," said Rebecca Garland, executive director of NWF's Be Out There campaign.
"Best of all, getting children outside for unstructured play time comes at no cost. Parents just need to open up the back door and let kids do what comes naturally."
Earlier this month, the charity, along with more than 200 health, conservation, youth, and other organisations, and 16,300 Americans urged surgeon general Regina Benjamin to make time outdoors a health priority for children.
Researchers at Ohio State University recently found that family meals, a good night's sleep and cutting down on TV all help reduce childhood obesity.
