The last week of April was Every Kid Healthy Week, which stressed the idea that we need to continually encourage healthy decisions for our youngsters. In addition to their school life, it is necessary to create a healthy home environment for our children. Ultimately the healthy lifestyle choices our kids make now will affect their decisions in their later years. But who says being healthy has to be boring? Here are 4 ways to encourage your kids to engage in fun and healthy physical activity.
1) Set Up An Obstacle Course. This idea is great for any competitive child (or parent), as participants race each other to the finish line! Use items that are lying around your house; some great items to use are hula-hoops, brooms, jump ropes, mini trampolines, and tape, just to name a few.
Engaging in an obstacle course race is good for more than just the joy of competition—we’re talking about health. Racing through the course will strengthen your heart as you partake in activities such as running and jumping. Additionally, you will be building muscle mass, which ultimately is beneficial to fortifying your bones and preventing osteoporosis.
2) Take Your Child Roller Skating or Bike-Riding. It’s amazing how much exercise can be done on a pair of in-line skates or a bicycle. Skate with your child around the block, or at the beach…maybe even bring your dog! The benefits of roller skating include improving balance, endurance, and giving less than 50% of the impact on your joints when compared to running. Additionally, roller skating can burn up to 600 calories in an hour, making it the perfect activity for any child that has just eaten sugary sweets, as well any adult that wants to lose weight.
3) Take Your Child to a Trampoline Park. As an increasing amount of indoor trampoline parks appear, it has also become easier to get fit and have fun at the same time. Don’t know what a trampoline park is? Picture a warehouse filled with different kinds of trampolines to jump around on…AKA a child’s heaven.
But don’t think all the fun is for the youngsters; trampolines offer health benefits for people of all ages, including the ability to strengthen your heart, firm and tone your muscles, and increase your energy. Recent studies have confirmed that 10 minutes of bouncing on a trampoline is a better cardiovascular workout than running for 33 minutes.
4) Introduce Your Kids to the Benefits of Yoga. Whether you are a master, or have never tried it, exploring the benefits of yoga with your child is a stellar idea. Increased muscle tone, improved respiration, and cardio and circulatory health are among the top benefits that arise from this activity. Do yoga right before your child’s bedtime to get rid of any leftover energy from the day, and to help them feel calm and relaxed.
Are you interested in helping your child discover the enjoyments of physical activities? Visit your primary care physician for a physical to see where you and your child stand physically. If for any reason your child becomes sick or hurt during physical activity, visit your local urgent care—our facilities include Woodbridge Walk-In, Fountain Valley Urgent Care, and Costa Mesa Urgent Care. Be sure to schedule an appointment online with us first!
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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