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Promote an active lifestyle for your child

University Relations
News Bureau (662) 325-3442
Contact: Michael Pizzitola
June 26, 2007

STARKVILLE, Miss.-Getting children involved in sports or other activities at an early age may help them develop an active lifestyle for the future.

Health experts agree that physical activity in children does much to help prevent future coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and weight problems. One of them, Joseph Chromiak of Mississippi State University, says parents should work constantly to get their children involved in physical fitness and related activities as early as age 4.

Sports are a great way for children to stay active, but the associate professor of kinesiology urges parents to allow the children to choose the athletic activity they most like to play. It is important that children not have activities forced on them, he emphasizes.

"When it comes to sports, parents need to limit the competitiveness and make sure the child gets a positive learning experience," he observes.

This can be accomplished by getting youngsters involved in many activities and observing which ones they seem to most enjoy, he adds. In addition to sports, other general outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, bike riding, and swimming may be equally beneficial for a child's healthy development.

In summary, Chromiak underscores two important points:

Children should participate in physical activity for more than 30 minutes each day and;
Parents have the responsibility to keep their children active and away from constant television watching and snacking, and other lifestyles that may inhibit healthy growth and development.