Take Ten...It's Free!!!

Ten minutes per day in physical activity may add years of quality living to your child's future. As role models, parents and leaders should plant the seeds of active physical movement. The best thing is…. It's free. Creating a family fun activity like kick ball, dodge ball, throwing the football, jumping rope, wrestling, tickling, walking the dog and trying to out do the dog are simple yet create long lasting memories and if done regularly will positively impact their future health.

What many do not know is the reason ‘Why’ it is critical to insist on physical activity. The critical truth is regular physical activity creates chain reactions which produce and excretes ‘essential and required nutrients’ that stimulate and maintain proper cellular function. The big reason why this is important is, that we are only as healthy as the dirt our plants grow in.

The cells of the body are like the soil one would plant something in. From the top of your head to the tips of your toes, all systems within our human body will retrieve nutrients from its cells (soil) to continue the activity of maintaining us alive. Therefore, keeping our soil will nourish through meals and physical activity is essential to grow these children into healthy adults.

There is plenty of research available to show the positive or negative side effects of physical activity or physical inactivity. Either way, there is a clear predictable outcome for your path. I encourage you to guide and lead your children onto the path which will yield the most fruits in the future. Physical activity is part of this path. Choosing not to will absolutely lead them onto a path of chronic and life threatening diseases. This is a fact. Below are brief excerpts of research supporting each side of the fence. Being informed is our best defense. However, then comes the ‘knowing yet not doing, is really not knowing at all’ part of the equation.
Unless, we as a community begin to move towards creating these types of habits within ourselves and our children the current sickness rates will be small potatoes in the future.

Benefits of Activity

"Daily physical exertion is an essential nutrient.” A study published by Eaton & Eaton, Comparative Biochem. & Physiology 2003.

“Physical activity has been shown to increase the body’s antioxidant mechanisms.” A study published by Roberts, C.K. & Barnard, Effects of exercise and diet on chronic disease 2005.

Pediatrics Vol. 112 December 2003 cites, "childhood weight-bearing physical activity is recognized as an important determinant of peak bone mass and physical activity intervention may represent a feasible strategy for primary prevention of osteoporosis. (10 minutes, 3 times a week over a two year period)."

Activity not only decreases the risk of skeletal weakness, but may also ensure academic success and development. According to the Journal of Applied Physiology 2002, "sedentary lifestyle is associated with lower cognitive skills." Although sitting in front of a television or playing videogames may increase some cognitive skills, active physical exercise yields much higher long term results.

The above articles illustrate the many reasons why physical activity is so important to health, especially in children during formative years. Just ten minutes a day can offset the predictable trend toward illness that inactivity encourages.

Risks of Inactivity

Not only does physical activity offset illness, INACTIVITY may cause it. According to a 2004 article in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, "lack of movement is a major public health problem, and compelling evidence suggests that it is a contributing factor in several chronic diseases and conditions."

"Currently, modern chronic disease, including cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer are the leading killers in Westernized society. Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are now even commonplace in children. Clearly, there is a solution to this epidemic that is inundating societies worldwide: exercise and diet." The journal of Applied Physiology 2005.

It is important to understand that physical activity is an essential requirement for creating health and a lack of activity will create sickness. There is overwhelming research available to support either side. Clearly every parent wants what is best for their child. However, have you thought about your children’s friends? They too can potentially be part of a statistic which can affect your family circle. You see, we are all in this together. Your child can marry someone which has not lead a healthy life and as a result be prone to more sickness in the future. This is the reason for us as a community to work together to change the future. It really only takes 10 minutes per day to impact our children’s health in the future, besides, the activity is free but the memories and benefits are priceless!