A new study shows that the amount of exercise kids get closely matches how much their mom gets.
Pediatric Chiropractor
Do you want to ensure that your kids are getting enough exercise? Mom, it’s time to start moving.
A study published this month in the journal Pediatrics found that kids with active mothers were more likey to be active, themselves. For every minute of exercise mom engaged in, her child was 10% more likely to engage in a similar level of exercise.
Get Moving, Mom!
The study also found that the activity level of most mothers was low. Out of 554 four-year-olds, just 53 percent of their mothers engaged in moderate-to-vigorous exercise once a week. Experts say that these findings should motivate moms to be more active on a regular basis.
So why aren’t moms moving?
Pain – Pediatric Chiropractic
Some moms and children may find it hard to be active because of injuries or weight trouble. A pediatric chiropractor can evaluate the health of your whole family and restore motion to joints that are locked up or fixated. Symptoms such as back pain and headaches can greatly affect mom’s motivation to engage in activity.
Where Does the Time Go?
Working moms can find it hard to squeeze one more thing into an already full schedule, but it’s important to take it one step at a time. “Establishing an active lifestyle doesn’t require that your entire family go jogging every week, says Dr. Sandra Liperuote, pediatric chiropractor at Fulk Chiropractic in Olathe, KS. “You can incorporate movement into your weekend by engaging in an recreational activity that the whole family enjoys.”
Tips to Add Movement to Your Week
Shut off the TV and computer. Did you know that the average 3rd-12th grader spends approximately 7.5 hours a day (52 hours a week) using media? This “media time” encourages inactivity. The mind is engaged, but not the body. It’s easy for moms to limit TV time for their kids, but moms need to limit their TV (and mobile device) time, too.
Squeeze in 10 Minutes. You don’t have to exercise for 45 minutes all at once, says Dr. Jeff Spoonemore, pediatric chiropractor at Fulk Chiropractic. “Break it into 15 minutes of one activity and 15 minutes of another. This is just as good and effective as getting 30 minutes in all at once.” Go throughout the house to see who can clean things up the quickest or have a dance party in your living room to a few of your favorite songs. Pick your little kids up to dance around. You won’t even know you’re “exercising.”
Allow more movement indoors. Moms often worry about kids getting hurt while wrestling or playing hard. Choose a room in your home that is free of physical hazards and let your kids run, jump and dance.
Get outside. Spring is in the air, and our days are getting longer. Take every chance you can get to enjoy some time outside. The sun provides us with vitamin D – a required nutrient that increases immunity, so go for a short walk to the park or playground or splash in the spring puddles. Fly a kite when it gets windy or go for a nature hunt in your neighborhood.
Look for Mom and Tot activities. Kansas City offers activities for moms and tots to enjoy together during the week or on the weekend. KC Parent Magazine lists events and activities as well as camps and recreation.
Just walk there. We all need to make an occasional trip to the post office, the library or even to a nearby grocery store. Slow down a little and build in some time to walk there. The kids will enjoy some fresh air, and you’ll all get some exercise.
The point is to be purposeful.
Our habits will keep us doing what we’ve always done unless we work to change them. Think about your plans for the coming weeks and schedule in more time for movement. The health benefits for moms and their kids will be worth it.
The pediatric chiropractors at Fulk Chiropractic specialize in family chiropractic care for hundreds of Kansas City families. They strive to be a central health resource for Kansas City residents. By offering back pain relief, headache treatment and neck pain relief, they focus on correcting problems related to the nervous system.
Open 7 Days a Week, they offer chiropractic therapy when Kansas City patients need it most.