Health Promotion: Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
Quote of the Day: "Just Move!" (American Heart Association)
	The Activity Pyramid is a great tool for visualization of just what is meant by physical activity.  This can be a confusing topic for parents and children.  Parents are used to the term "exercise" and children are used to the term "play" http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uk076.pdf#search=%22Activity%20Pyramid%22 Guidelines for Screening and Counseling by age Group Infancy (0-11 months) Physical movements are integral to development Encourage parents to observe whre their infant is developmentally and try to stimulate gross motor development to thenext level Using play and touching, supporting and moving their infant Once an infant is close to becoming mobile a safe environment is required for activity For a more thorough discussion of motor skills in infancy see the Bright Futures link below http://www.brightfutures.org/physicalactivity/pdf/Infancy.pdf#search=%22motor%20skills%20development%20during%20infancy%22 Early Childhood (1-4 years) Screening Questions How often does your child get the chance to play actively? How much TV/video/compture does your child participate in daily? Is there a safe place near your home where your child can play outside? Counseling SUPERVIZE! Children should have the change to play actively everyday Be sure equipment is safe and developmentally appropriate modeling by parents is really helpful Parents who are active influence children's activity level and having an active friend influences children's acitivty level organized activities basic skills building blocks recomend waiting until age 6 for organized sports For more thorough discussion of motor skills and healthy activity in early childhood see Bright Futures link below http://www.brightfutures.org/physicalactivity/pdf/EarlyChild.pdf#search=%22motor%20skills%20development%20during%20early%20childhood%22 Middle Childhood (5-10 years) Screening Questions At this age you can ask the child first! Do you think you get enough physical activity each day? What PA do you participate in? How often? For how long? At home or at school? Do you do an PA with your parents? Do you use safety gear with _________ sports? Have you ever been injured during PA? How many hours/day do you watch TV or play on the computer? Counseling Children should be active every day or nearly everyday important for children this age to start to understand that PA is integral to health Incoporate PA into ADLs support school PE programs that encourage continuous vigorous or moderate activity be a role model or find one for child injury prevention http://www.brightfutures.org/physicalactivity/pdf/MiddleChildhood.pdf#search=%22motor%20skills%20development%20during%20middle%20childhood%22 Adolescence (11-21) Middle and High School Screening Questions Do you think PA is important? Why or why not? Do you think you are getting enough PA? Why or why not? Which PA do you participate in?  How often?  How long each time? Do you participate in PA in school?  In your neighborhood? with your parents? Are there any physical activities you enjoy? Have you been injured while partcipating in PA? Do you use appropriate safety equipment? How much time each day do you spend watching TV/computer games? Counseling Adolescents should be physically active everyday or nearly every day Moderate (30 min) or vigorous (20 min) Encourage activities that they enjoy and will continue into adulthood Incorporate PA into ADLs Encourage new challenges, setting reasonable goals Encourage parent participation Injury prevention
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