No excuses for not getting outside

NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Obesity, the number one problem with children, is entirely preventable

Posted By DR. STUART KINSINGER

Posted 5 months ago

As kids get ready to head back to school, this is a good time to consider the evidence regarding childhood health.

The number one problem with children now is obesity: an entirely preventable situation. As parents we have the responsibility to do the right thing.

Children and adolescents spend far fewer hours playing outside today than they did in the past.

Those of us older than 35 recall how eagerly as kids we looked forward to getting out of school so that we could play. Today things are different.

Free time that was once filled with hours of unstructured play in the backyard or playground has now been replaced with indoor sedentary activities; primarily video games, TV and the internet.

There is now a growing body of scientific evidence that supports what most of us know by observation: kids today have become inactive, out of shape, overweight and unhealthy.

We can call it a lifestyle problem, but the reality is that as parents and educators we have been negligent in acting as role models, and using our authority in disallowing kids sedentary activities.

One reason children's outside play activities is healthy is that it burns off more calories. One 1998 study compared the calories burned in outdoor and indoor activities. The results were obvious but striking.

Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem because it increases the chances of chronic diseases later on, such as heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimers's disease, diabetes and cancer.

Another benefit of outdoor play activities is in preventing the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One study published recently in theAmerican Journal of Public Health(2004:94:1580) had parents rate the effectiveness of 49 common after school and weekend activities. The authors concluded that green outdoor settings reduce ADHD symptoms in children across a wide range of individual, residential and case characteristics.

In Sweden, researchers studied the amount of illness in children and concluded that the more kids played outside, the less they were sick.

Exercise boosts the immune system, so when kids play outside they are much more active, and this in turn benefits the immune system. The other protective factor is the "hygiene hypothesis" meaning that kid's immunity is strengthened when they come in contact with more micro-organisms.

Some children suffer from mild depression in the winter months when the hours of daylight are shortened. This seasonal affective disorder, called SAD was studied in 1,700 kids average age being 10 years.

Almost half of them suffered at least one SAD symptom such as sleep disturbance, eating problems, irritability, lack of energy, withdrawal and sadness in the winter. By the fall less than 10% had the symptoms continue. One conclusion drawn was the importance of outdoor activities in the winter months in preventing symptoms of depression.

We know that sunshine increases vitamin D levels, an essential nutrient for bone growth and health. The key is how much to get. The experts recommend five to 10 minutes of summer sun exposure to the extremities and face two or three times per week. Children obviously need help learning how much exposure is healthy and how to protect themselves from sunburn.

All health care practitioners know that outdoor activities are healthy for children and adults alike. Those of us that work in a wellness and natural health paradigm actively encourage parents to plan strategies to help their children to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The key to this is the parental responsibility of putting time limits on how much sedentary inactivity will be tolerated. Make this as part of the 'house rules' and then enforce the rules fairly.

We are blessed in the Kawarthas to have an abundance of opportunities to enjoy our outdoor environment. What with public parks, playgrounds and trails in every part of the city there is no excuse not to get outside and enjoy what we have. Back to school is a good time to set the routine.

Dr. Stuart Kinsinger writes an evidence based column on natural health and wellness issues. He is associated with Spinewerx, 245 Kent Street West, Lindsay 705-324-8211. Questions or comments are welcomed at