INDIANAPOLIS – School bells are ringing for children in Indiana. The new school year is the perfect time for students and educators to reprioritize healthy habits. Celebrating its 100th year of lifesaving work, the American Heart Association says it is important to develop healthy habits at a young age given that the early years play a vital role in developing the health-related behaviors that carry into adolescence and adulthood.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Department’s latest Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, only 20% of kids get enough physical activity to meet recommendations. In addition to improved physical health, the benefits of physical activity for children include better grades, school attendance, and classroom behavior. Physical activity can also help kids feel better, improve mental health, build self-esteem, and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Kids should be active throughout the day and replace sedentary behaviors whenever possible. Families should find after-school and weekend activities that cut down on screen and sofa time. Try riding bikes, playing soccer, or taking a family walk after dinner.
School-age children and teens should try to get at least 60 minutes per day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity. It can be broken up into shorter sessions throughout the day. Check with your child’s school to see how much daily physical education and recess time they receive.
The American Heart Association offers school programs designed to bring expanded curriculum resources to classrooms; rooted in proven science which has shown that kids who are regularly active have a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The Kids Heart Challenge for elementary schools offers four physical activities: jumping rope, practicing basketball skills, dancing, or completing an obstacle course. The curriculum prepares kids for success by supporting their physical and emotional well-being and offers resources and physical activities to meet the needs of today’s youth and educators.
Parents and Indiana schools interested in bringing the American Heart Association’s in-school programs to their children should visit www.heart.org/getstarted.
