Wednesday, September 15, 2010

How to support youth health and wellness

By Eloisa Herrero

Last week, together with our Annual Campaign Kick off, we kicked off our Back to Football Friday Campaign. We encouraged fans of all ages to show their NFL team pride and sign up for a chance to win a trip to the Super Bowl.

I would really like to emphasize that the main objective of this campaign is NOT to sit in front of the television the rest of the year watching every single football game possible. The main objective is “to raise awareness about the issue of childhood obesity and creating new opportunities for young people to lead healthier lifestyles.”

The question is how do we “tackle” the child obesity rate which has nearly doubled in the last ten years?

Here are some examples of how you can encourage children (and adults too!) to be more active and healthier:

• Start a walking or running club in your neighborhood
• Organize a mini flag football league in your community
• Provide free dancing lessons….girls love dancing!
• Advocate for healthier meal options at school
• Organize a weekly family trip to the farmer’s market in your area and get tons of fruits and veggies!
• Help a neighbor with their yard work - mowing or raking are great exercise!
• Make sodas a weekend-only-beverage
• All the family helps mom to do the housework!
• Organize an Egg Rolling Championship (involves propelling a hard-boiled egg with a long-handled spoon about 20 feet or more!)
• Bike rides with family and friends
• Declare a no screen week- no television, computer, video game or cell-phone

The list can be endless, just remember to have a lot of fun while you and the people around you get healthier!

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