The Role of Family in Promoting Physical Activity

Aspects of Family Physical

Activity Promotion

Shared and Goal-Directed Programs•Include all programs that promote a family to work together to increase physical activity levels•Owning a family dog is one way families can share physical activity, kids in families with dogs are spend more time in physical activity than those who do not

Family Supported Active Transport•Recent urban city planning methods have led to a decline in active transport•Parents in safe neighborhoods should promote kids to walk or ride bikes to school and if possible walk with their kids to school, so everyone is active•Active transport to various events is one way a family can impact activity levels

Parental Advocacy of Programs•Parents should look for opportunities to place children in programs that will allow for physical activity•After school and youth sports programs can give kids opportunity for activity in a time where they might be sedentary at home•Socioeconomic classes are a limiting factor in this area•More affluent classed youths have greater opportunity to participate in programs, but parents and children in low class areas can utilize free and creative play to enhance activity levels

Integrated and Multilevel•This approach looks to social institutions such as churches or school to provide children of all classes physical activity opportunities•These programs can level the field of limitations that face different socioeconomic classes•Integrated approaches within schools that involve parents have been shown to increase physical activity levels •Parents can affect integrated approaches by pushing for more recess time

Remember a family that prays together stays together, in the same respect a family that exercises together, stay together through healthy living

•49% of boys and 35% of girls do not get the recommended 60 minutes of play a day•1/3 of America’s youth are overweight or obese

Problem of Our Times