Exercise can be fun!

We decided to place our “Public Health” sticker at a local playground in Lettuce Lake Park. We chose this location because we are currently living in a society where technology is everywhere we go and we spend so much of our day sitting in front of a screen. It’s becoming more and more difficult for children to find a healthy way to exercise. Our youth are being robbed of the things that came so naturally to us as children, such as the pleasure of playing in a park or in the back yard.

This represents a Public Health issue because childhood obesity is on the rise due to a sedentary lifestyle. It is also an important issue because of recent statistical data showing that there is an increasing number of children becoming extremely active in the technological world of video games and chat rooms rather than being active outside.

This issue is very important because children aren’t exactly in control of what they consume or of getting enough exercise. Parent’s have a responsibility over their children and this means making sure that they get enough exercise. By visiting a park a few times a week you can make sure that your child gets some exercise without even realizing that’s what he/she is doing. They’ll be too busy having fun to notice that they’re burning calories. Which if you think about is, exactly how it should be. Children shouldn’t have to worry about weight issues.

With busy work schedules and fast paced lifestyles, families don’t always spend enough time together. A visit to the park will give families the opportunity to enjoy family life, as well as the chance to live a healthier one by sneaking in some fitness.

Posted by: Lawanya Jeyaselvan, Andrea Martinez & Blanca Soto