Physical Benefits
“Play keeps us fit physically and mentally.” Stuart Brown, M.D.
Most kids love to run, jump, swing and climb on outdoor playgrounds because it’s fun. But research shows outdoor play is much more than just fun, it’s necessary to help keep kids physically fit and healthy.
Combating Childhood Obesity
Doctors and health care professionals have increasingly warned about the declining physical health of children, caused by many factors including more junk food and sugary drinks, larger restaurant portions, more fast food consumption, and sedentary activity from playing video games and using computers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children aged 6-19 years, 16 percent – over 9 million young people – are considered overweight (
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov). In addition, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that the percentage of elementary-age children who are considered obese has doubled since 1980, from 7 percent to 14 percent.
To combat this epidemic, the CDC and others recommend increased levels of physical activity and reducing the time children spend watching television. Specifically, a new study recommends 1 ˝ hours of physical activity for children aged 5-16 (
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13957025/from/ET).
Outdoor play is the cornerstone of physical activity for kids. Doctors note that kids don’t have to be running on treadmills or playing sports during that time. In fact, the study says kids “… just need to be able to run around and play physically, even for short bursts of time.”
Physical Benefits of Play
Although kids’ levels of activity vary when they play outside, they are almost certainly higher than when they watch television or play video games. Different playground equipment lends itself to varying levels of activity, making it easy for kids of all age groups and ability levels to physically benefit from outdoor play on a playground.
Research has shown that the physical benefits of play include learning reflexes and movement control, developing fine and gross motor skills, increasing flexibility and balancing skills; learning to walk, run, jump, throw, climb, slide and swing. These activities all lead to improved physical health and fitness.
Increased physical activity for children has proven to be effective. Studies show that children who are more physically active are healthier when it comes to blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin levels. Taking kids to the playground is one of the most fun, and healthy, things you can do for – and with – them.
Parents can be the best advocates for physical activity and play. Setting an example of a healthy, active lifestyle – one that includes outdoor play – is the first step toward keeping kids on a path to good physical health.
