09 December 2006

Get kids moving with active gifts this Christmas

Parents and grandparents are being urged to give children active gifts this Christmas to help fight childhood obesity NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos said today.

"I want parents and grandparents to think about giving their children gifts like balls, bikes, skipping ropes and sports equipment this Christmas to encourage physical activity," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages.

"Exercise not only helps to maintain a healthy weight, it is also fun and makes you feel good."

Some fun and active gift ideas that parents and grandparents could give include:

• balls (basketballs, footballs, netballs, soccer balls)
• beach gear (eg boogie boards)
• bikes
• frisbees
• hula hoops
• scooters
• skateboards
• skipping ropes
• sporting goods (cricket sets)
• trampolines.

"These are the gifts that keep on giving: they will give children endless hours of fun, help keep them active and fit and develop important coordination and movement skills," he said.

Mr Hatzistergos warned that the growing obesity epidemic threatens to cut the life expectancy of our young people.

"We all need to start taking more responsibility for our own and our families' health.

"Obesity is a tsunami which will swamp us unless we take action. In NSW 25 per cent of children are now overweight or obese."

The Australian Physical Activity Recommendations for Children and Young People recommend that children need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

They also recommend that no more than two hours a day should be spent playing on the computer and watching television and DVDs.

"Physical activity could be active play with friends and walking, or something more vigorous such as running, organised sports such as soccer, netball or swimming laps," Mr Hatzistergos said.

Parents can help their children to enjoy and maintain an active lifestyle by:

• being a good role model - being active yourself
• being active with your children - walking, cycling, playing frisbee
• finding activities that your children like
• encouraging your kids to join a sporting club or swimming group
• planning family events that are active such as a bushwalk, kite flying or a family soccer match
• turning off the TV and setting limits for the computer and video games.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au