How to keep your younger children healthy and active
Page 4 • Wednesday, February 4, 2015 • The Hammonton Gazette
ACTIVE, from Page 1
eration of kids. On that day in 2010, she
talked about the importance of staying active
and preventing childhood obesity.
“The physical and emotional health of an
entire generation and the economic health
and security of our nation is at stake,”
Obama said.
The First Lady has helped with an effort
to promote physical activity and bring physical education back to schools in the country.
In a speech to the Partnership for a Healthier
America Summit in March 2013, she said
the prevention of childhood obesity is
headed in the right direction.
“So together, slowly but surely, we are beginning to turn the tide on childhood obesity
in America. Together, we are inspiring leaders from every sector to take ownership of
this issue. And with this type of broad and
inclusive engagement, I am confident we
will continue to make steady progress,”
Obama said.
In the town of Hammonton, those national
remarks are being heeded. Dr. Edward
Rosof, local pediatrician at Advocare Hammonton Pediatrics on the White Horse Pike
(Route 30), provided in-depth insight on the
issue.
“I think exercise should be a lifelong
thing, and it should start at an early age. It
can gradually change as children grow
older,” Rosof said.
Rosof explained preschool to kindergarten
children from ages four to six should start to
take part in a minimum of an hour
of “free play” activities daily. During the inactive portion of the day,
limiting indoor entertainment is beneficial.
“Introducing them [parents] to
free play, which is playing outside
and doing things with the children is
the first step. They can do some activities such as throwing, catching
and swimming. We talk about exercise, but we need to talk about what
they should be doing when they are
not exercising. They need to limit
television, video games and computer time,” Rosof said.
Children having access to more
technology, which doesn’t involve
physical activity is a huge issue, according to Rosof.
“I see children in the office and I
like to ask certain questions to see
what they do with themselves. They
like to do organized activities like
sports, but that could be once-aweek. I ask them ‘what do you do
when you come home from school
every day?’ Very few of the kids say
they go outside and play. They s