Active
Children, Active Families brochure — In Language Version
 Documents on this page
are available in Portable Document Format (PDF). Learn about viewing and
printing PDFs with
Acrobat
Reader.
In Language Active
Children, Active Families brochure (PDF – 820K)
Front Cover
Active Children, Active Families. A Helpful Guide for Asian American Parents and
Caregivers.
Introduction
There is no question that physical activity is good for children. Just consider
the evidence. Physical activity strengthens muscles, bones and joints. It gives
children the opportunity to gain self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of
well-being. It can reduce stress and anxiety levels. It also can prevent disease
and may even improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. After-school
programs offer children fun alternatives to risky behaviors.
Do you know what your children are doing after school?
Inside Panels
Challenge
A lack of physical activity
Solution
Make physical activity fun and challenging
- Encourage children to participate in 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous
activity every day.
- Investigate whether your school and community center have activities,
such as basketball and soccer for youth.
- Search for activities to do “around the house” like shooting hoops,
dancing, hiking, playing catch or kickball, or riding bicycles.
- Use the seasons to inspire outdoor activities, like skiing and
snowboarding in winter, and swimming in the summer.
Back to top ^
Challenge
The community or school lacks resources
Solution
Become an advocate
- Talk to teachers and administrators & ask them to support daily physical
education and other school programs that promote physical activity.
- Make sure your children are provided with at least 20 minutes of recess
during school each day.
Back to top ^
Challenge
TV and computer screens compete for time
Solution
Offer educational alternatives
- Limit TV time to 1 or 2 hours per day.
- Remove TV sets from children’s bedrooms and encourage them to spend time
with different media, such as dancing to music.
- Lead by example to limit “screen time” and encourage participation in
physical activities.
Back to top ^
Challenge
Limited time and resources
Solution
Find activities that don't need expensive equipment or lessons
- Help your children make a map of free and low-cost physical activity
areas near your home—like parks, bike trails, tennis courts, and etc.
- Talk with school administration about the importance of daily recess in
addition to physical education classes.
- Household chores like walking the dog or washing the car include
physical activity, so encourage the children to tackle them while making it
fun and rewarding.
Back to top ^
Back Cover
Visit
- www.cdc.gov/verb for information
about the campaign.
- www.VERBnow.com to see how children
will experience VERB online.
- www.americanheart.org* to get tips for raising heart-healthy, active
children.
- www.shapeup.org* for information about healthy weight management through
better nutrition and increased physical activity.
VERB is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
VERB and CDC logo
VERB™ is a trademark of the US Health and Human Services’ Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
©2003 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All rights reserved.
Back to top ^
* Links to non-Federal organizations are provided
solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any
organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The
CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages
found at these links.
Page last reviewed: August 1, 2007
Page last modified: August 1, 2007
Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health |
