Denver Post article with Super Kids Fitness

Hands-off parenting helps create healthier kids By Doug McPherson Special to The Denver Post Want your kids to get more exercise? Kids pressured by parents to "go play!" are only about half as likely to engage in high levels of physical activity as kids with hands-off parents. (Associated Press file ) Hey, parents, if you want your kids to be healthier, walk away — especially if you're on a playground. That's the message from a new study that examined how families use neighborhood parks. One finding: Children with "helicopter" parents (those who often "hover" over their children) get less physical activity. In fact, researchers from North Carolina State University learned that such kids were only about half as likely to engage in high levels of physical activity as kids with hands-off parents. Michael Witten, an exercise physiologist and wellness center director with Children's Hospital Colorado, says the findings of the study make a lot of sense to him. "I often see overprotective parents in other settings, as well, such as at swimming pools," Witten says. "Parents tend to be far more overprotective around water." However, Witten does add he's "a bit torn" on the topic. "I highly encourage families to participate in physical activity with their kids, as opposed to sitting on the park bench and watching." But the line, Witten says, is likely easily identifiable. "If your child is engaged in an activity and playing with other children, let them be," he says. "If your child is reluctant and not engaged, it's best to interact with them and get them started." Wendy Martin, owner of Super Kids Fitness, a Denver-area business that offers fitness programs for children, says parents who do join in, at least at first to get children started playing on their own, are being good role models for their kids. "I think the best way a parent can encourage exercise and healthy choices is to be the best role model of a healthy and active lifestyle," Martin says. "Our children are watching and listening to parents every day. What healthy choices has your child seen you make? Whether it's running, biking or just playing tag with your child, it's important for us to stay healthy and active for ourselves and our children. As always, actions speak louder than words." So what else can well-meaning parents do to help their kids get fitter? Experts say children should get at least one hour of some type of physical activity every day and that their "screen time" (TV, movies, video games and computer) be limited to two hours or less daily. "It's easy to achieve these, but if your children don't like the activities they're doing then they're going to gravitate to the sedentary behaviors," Witten says. "I strongly encourage variety in activity. Do a different activity every day — play a new game, go to a different park, plan a family activity on weekends. Kids may not like everything you try, but they'll likely find a few activities they do like." Witten and others say pushing children into activities is a mistake. "If you take your children to the rec center and ask them to walk on the treadmill and they don't like it, they're going to become turned off to physical activity," Witten says. "Try something different next time and reward them for achieving physical activity goals and don't punish them if they fall short. If they do fail, stay persistent and keep having them try new and different activities and change the goals and rewards if you need to." And back on the playground, Sara Haggstrom, the youth and family program coordinator for the Schlessman Family YMCA in Denver, says kids need their independence not only for their physical health, but also for their imaginations. "Playing at the park for a child is a whole different experience besides just expending calories. Kids are using their minds in ways adults sometimes forget," Haggstrom says. "It's a time for kids to use their imaginations. At a playground, kids turn into the greatest superhero of all time. The structures turn into pirate ships or castles. They fly, they fight the bad guys, and they save the world." Doug McPherson is a Colorado- based freelance writer. Read more: Hands-off parenting helps create healthier kids - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/ci_19230651#ixzz2layDx9Ca Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse Follow us: @Denverpost on Twitter | Denverpost on Facebook