LAKE COUNTY — Children gain weight more than twice as fast during the summer as they do during the regular school year, according to a report in the American Journal of Public Health.
“When you think of summer you think of children running around outside and playing all the time,” Jennifer McClendon, Network for a Healthy California?Northcoast Region program director, said. “But, it turns out that many children are less likely to get consistent or active play during the summer as they are during the school year when they”re engaged in organized physical activities. Instead, they spend more time watching television and playing video games, which burn few calories. On top of that, many children have continuous access to snacks during vacation as well.”
This summer, parents have a new tool to help combat the summertime slump. A physical activity directory is being launched through the Network for a Healthy California ? Northcoast Region”s website, www.northcoastnutrition.org.
Users can enter in an activity or select a location and get back a list of where to go and what to do.
The directory includes swimming pools, nature parks, baseball teams, cycling groups, aerobics classes and more. Users can type in a zip code and see what”s available in the area. The directory is suitable for all age groups and all income levels. It covers Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
“Being active every day is a key factor in a healthy lifestyle foreveryone,” Laurel Chambers, physical activity specialist with the Network, said. “It”s important to know what options, including low-cost and no-cost options, are available to you in your community so that families can stay fit and active together.”
Cat Neushul is a health and education freelance writer based in California.
