February 07, 2006

PARENTS THE KEY TO CHILDREN BEING MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE - 101 TIPS FOR FAMILY FITNESS FUN

Reston, , February 07, 2006 — 

For more information, contact:
Paula Keyes Kun (703) 476-3461; pkun@aahperd.org

PARENTS THE KEY TO CHILDREN BEING MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Try these 101 Tipe for Family Fitness Fun

With more inactive and overweight children than ever before, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and Walk4Life, Inc. remind parents that children learn by example and offer 101 suggestions for getting more physically active with the new brochure, 101 Tips for Family Fitness Fun. If parents enjoy and participate in physical activity, so will their children!

“Children and adolescents should spend at least 60 minutes every day in a variety of moderate to vigorous physical activity,” says NASPE Executive Director Charlene R. Burgeson. “Maintaining healthy bodies is not only vital for physical well-being, but for mental and emotional development as well. The 101 Tips brochure gives parents some new ideas for family fitness activities and encourages them and their children to enjoy physical activity as part of a normal routine in their lives.”

Among the recommendations in the brochure are suggestions that parents schedule a regular time throughout the week for their family to be physically active, select fitness-oriented gifts, and reward children with activity rather than food. Tips for “fitness fun” are grouped for home, kitchen, school, the great outdoors, your own backyard, and much more.

“During National Physical Education and Sport Week, May 1-7, and throughout the year, we want parents to examine the quality of their children's physical education programs, and to urge schools to provide adequate, safe, and effective physical activity opportunities,” said Thomas J. Templin, Ph.D., NASPE President of Purdue University. “There is no place in this country for even one poor physical education program. We believe every student in our nation's schools from kindergarten through grade 12 should have the opportunity to participate in a quality physical education program. Children need to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to lead healthy, active and productive lives. To do that, all programs must facilitate achievement of the National Standards for Physical Education.”

According to Dr. Robert P. Pangrazi, one of the author's of NASPE's Physical Activity for Children: A Statement of Guidelines for Children Ages 5 -12 , and director of educational development for Walk4Life, Inc., “Keeping children and youth turned on to physical activity is one of the biggest challenges facing parents. That is why it is important to help children explore a wide variety of physical activities to determine what they like and then encourage them to participate in those activities on a regular basis.”

To receive a free copy of 101 Tips for Family Fitness Fun , send a stamped, self- addressed legal size (#10) envelope to: NASPE/101 Tips, 1900 Association Drive , Reston , VA 20191 . For bulk purchases, call 1-800- 321-0789. Stock number is 304-10322.

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and youth physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE's 17,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, sport management professionals, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport and youth physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information. It is the largest of the five national associations that make the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). To assess whether your child is receiving a quality physical education program, visit www.naspeinfo.org/observePE for an observation assessment tool.

Walk4Life, Inc., headquartered in Plainfield , Illinois , is a woman-owned business founded in 1999 to develop high-quality pedometers, activity-based educational materials and accessories to empower students and adult populations to increase their daily activity. Walk4Life pedometers, validated in numerous research studies for their accuracy and durability, are used in walking and wellness programs in educational institutions, corporations, hospitals, senior centers and health clubs. Visit the website at www.walk4life.com to learn more Walk4Life and its products, programs and initiatives.

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