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Research shows that more than 65 percent of adults are overweight or obese, and nearly one-third of children ages 2 to 19 are already overweight or obese, which increases their risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and other chronic health problems. HealthPartners experts have advice to help your family stay healthier by being more active.
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Start early to make activity a lifetime habit
"You can't start too early in making physical activity a regular part of your child's day," advises HealthPartners Research Foundation investigator Nancy Sherwood, PhD. "Give little ones plenty of time for free active play, and don't be overly reliant on a stroller — let your toddler walk with you," she says. "Active toddlers and preschoolers grow up to be more active children, teens and adults." |
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Show and tell
"Showing your child that you enjoy being active in your daily life sends an important message about your family's values," says James Nordin, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and HealthPartners Research Foundation clinical investigator. Dr. Sherwood also advises, "Find fun activities that your whole family can do together, such as nature hikes or walks through the zoo. Even simple activities such as walking the dog are good exercise and provide quality family time." |
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Limit screen time
Screen time — or time spent on television, video games and computers — contributes to a less active lifestyle. Older children should have a limit of two hours daily and those under age 2 should have no screen time. Dr. Nordin reports, "Limiting screen time is an effective way to prevent obesity. Keep televisions and computers out of a child's bedroom to monitor screen time more easily." |
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Take advantage of community resources
Both experts recommend parks programs or community centers that offer low cost or free sports programs and other activities. Try dance, gymnastics or martial arts training for both adults and children. |
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'Tis the season for cool moves
If you live in an area with cooler temperatures, don’t let the weather put your family activity on hold. Get creative to stay active this season. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Bring the game indoors
Play the classic Twister® game or have a fitness treasure hunt — write activities, such as jumping jacks, sit-ups or push-ups, on note cards that you hide throughout the house. Then give everyone a map with clues for finding the cards. The first to complete all the activities wins.
Create moving holiday traditions
Take a walk to view neighborhood holiday decorations, have a family game of touch football before the big meal or host a multi-generational dance party after the gift exchange. Grandparents can teach younger ones to jitterbug; an aunt and uncle can show off their best disco moves; and kids can teach everyone the latest steps.
Put active gifts under the tree
Choose gifts that get people moving, such as jump ropes, hula hoops, balls, sleds, snowshoes, bicycles or exercise videos. |
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Four-juice holiday punch
Sparkling and fruity, this beautiful, ruby-colored punch makes a delicious "mocktail" for holiday parties. |
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Give the gift of good health
Top 10 healthy gift ideas from HealthPartners
Help your friends and family live healthier with 10 great gift ideas from medical professionals at HealthPartners:
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A subscription to savingdinner.com — weekly recipes and shopping lists for home-cooked dinners |
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An appointment with a registered dietitian (RD) for nutrition advice (find a local RD at eatright.org) |
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A bookstore gift card or a library card to keep the mind healthy |
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A fruit basket to make good nutrition convenient |
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Healthy eating and cooking classes for individuals, couples or kids |
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Three 30-minute sessions with a personal trainer to design an individual fitness program |
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A Cycle-Ops® trainer, which converts a regular bicycle into an indoor stationary bike |
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Electric toothbrush for better oral health |
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Tools for easy low-fat cooking, such as a grill pan, bamboo steamer or crock-pot |
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A charitable donation made in the recipient's name — help others while lifting holiday spirits for you and a loved one |
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Thanks to: Alissa Duran-Nelson, MD; Douglas Hotvedt, MD; Thomas VonSternberg, MD; David Gesko, DDS; Charles Salmen, DDS; and Heidi Schmidt, RD, for their gift ideas. |
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Spread holiday cheer and improve your health
Volunteering has benefits for the body and soul
 Doing something for others is a great boost for flagging holiday spirits. And research shows that the benefits of volunteering are more than emotional. In one study, those who volunteered at least 100 hours per year were two-thirds less likely than non-volunteers to report bad health, and also one-third less likely to die within the next five years.
HealthPartners has a long history of support for volunteerism. According to
DeDee Varner, Manager of Community Relations, HealthPartners raised more than $1 million in 2007 through employee giving and participation in events such as the American Heart Association Heart Walk and the National Alliance for Mental Illness NAMIWalks. "Volunteerism makes our community and employees stronger and healthier, so we also contribute $75 per employee each year to an organization where the employee volunteers," says Varner.
Many organizations need your help during the holidays. To find opportunities in your area, go to volunteersolutions.org or volunteermatch.org. |
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The information in this newsletter cannot be used to diagnose individual cases. Each case is unique. Only a professional healthcare provider is qualified to diagnose illness and prescribe treatment. The HealthPartners family of health plans are underwritten and/or administered by HealthPartners, Inc., Group Health, Inc., HealthPartners Insurance Company or HealthPartners Administrators, Inc. Fully insured Wisconsin plans are underwritten by HealthPartners Insurance Company. Copyright © 2008 HealthPartners.
You received this message because you are a member of HealthPartners. If you do not wish to receive this e-news, simply click here to unsubscribe and have your e-mail address removed from future HealthPartners e-news e-mails. |
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