Childhood obesity is still in the news but not in a positive way. Obesity rates are still disgustingly high and solutions are emerging but not making the front pages of newspapers.
Canada’s Physical Activity Guide advises children to aim for 90 minutes a day of physical activity. Are your children up to par? Are they eating the healthiest choices or are they even being offered a choice? Did you know that the federal government has touted its children’s fitness tax credit as one way to encourage parents to help their kids get active. Parents can claim a maximum of $500 a year for eligible fitness expenses? Activities must "include a significant amount of physical activity that contributes to cardio-respiratory endurance, plus one or more of: muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility or balance." Do you need that money to take your child to a park when it’s nice out or dance with them in your living room when it’s not? (Please see more information on this on CBC’s website ).
Turn off the television, turn up the music and dance! Go outside and run around the house. Play hide and seek, tag, or just race. These don’t cost a cent and can improve your health as well. There’s nothing better than coming in from a full day of play and having a sound sleep then waking up with energy to play even harder. Saving your child’s life shouldn’t cost the government money, and it shouldn’t cost you money – all it needs is time and dedication. Your child has it – do you?
