Increasing children’s physical activity

By April Speck, Coordinator,

Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coalition

Being physically active is just as important to health as eating right. Children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous active play every day to grow up to a healthy weight. If this sounds like a lot, consider that eight to 18–year-olds devote an average of 7.5 hours watching TV and movies, using computers and cell phones, and playing cell phones. Only one-third of high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity.

To increase physical activity, children need physical education, safe routes to walk and ride their bikes to school, parks and access to playgrounds and community centers. Children need access to sports leagues and dance or fitness programs that are exciting and challenging to keep them engaged.

In addition to being fun, regular physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, increases self-esteem, and provides many other health benefits. Physical activity, along with eating healthy foods, can help children live healthier lives and perform better in school.

Be a positive role model for your child and register for Healthy Hometown’s 1K Family Fun Run/Walk, 5K Run for the Roses or come out to our Health Fair on Saturday, May 3rd at Mountain View Park. Registration starts at 8:30 am and race begins at 9 a.m.

Our 1K Family Fun Run/Walk route is one lap around walking track, 5K Run for the Roses route starts at Mountain View Park to Save A Lot and back. Clinton County students can run or walk for free, as a PEP grant is paying the registration fees for all students. Adult fee $15.00, 100 percent of proceeds will go toward new playground equipment at Mountain View Park.

Upcoming Healthy

Hometown Coalition Events

Healthy Hometown is always seeking youth volunteers to go walk at AES with elementary students between 7:20-7:45 a.m. We are also seeking more youth volunteers to go to ECC every Tuesday during 2nd period intervention to facilitate Take 10! Students who walk at AES or go to ECC will get volunteer hours to count on college applications.

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.