October is National Physical Therapy Month.  This year the theme is "Move Forward: Physical Therapy Brings Motion to LIfe." The emphasis is on the importance of physical activity in preventing obesity, especially  in children, and its consequences. Across the country, Physical Therapists (PT's) are campaigning to raise awareness about the increasing incidence of obesity and related conditions, such as Type II Diabetes, in this country.

According to the most recent data, nearly 34% of adults and 17% of children and adolescents are obese. The incidence of type 2 diabetes, which accounts for about 90 - 95% of the 17.9 million diagnosed cases of diabetes, is also increasing as obesity rates climb. PT's are committed to aide in obesity prevention by helping people find ways to be physically active that work for them.

The Department of Health and Human Services offers Physical Activity Guidelines, which are supported by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). They recommend that children should get 1 hour or more of physical activity a day and that adults should do 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.

The APTA along with the Move Forward campaign offers these tips for families who are looking to become physically active.

• Plan weekend family activities involving physical activity, such as hiking, swimming, bicycling, mini-golf, tennis, or bowling.
• Help your child plan physical activities with friends and neighbors, such as skating or softball.
• Have your kids brainstorm a "rainy day" game plan of indoor activities involving fitness games such as Wii Fit or Dance Dance Revolution.
• Remember that your family does not need to join a health club or buy fancy equipment to be active. Walking isn't costly and it's easy. So is designing a backyard obstacle course. Weights can be made from soda or detergent bottles filled with sand or water!
• Provide positive rewards for your child when he or she engages in physical activities, such as workout clothes, a new basketball, or an evening of roller-skating.
• Provide positive feedback about your child's lifestyle changes. Remember not to focus on the scale (for you or your child).
• Be your child's "exercise buddy." Plan daily walks or bike rides and set goals together for increasing physical activity rather than for losing weight. It's also great "bonding" time!
• As you schedule your child's extracurricular activities, remember to plan time for exercise and activity as a priority for the entire family. Don't just "squeeze it in."
• Encourage children to try individualized sports such as tennis and swimming. Studies show such activities are the basis of lifelong fitness habits.
• Parents and children can do exercises while watching television (or at least during commercials), such as sit-ups, push-ups, or running in place. Discourage snacking or eating meals while watching.

For more information about physical therapy and the move forward campaign click here.

 

In addition, in honor of PT month, pediatric PT's are promoting the "Move Across America" campaign.  It is a way for all children, typically developing and those with special needs to participate in a fun and motivating way to be active. Click here to find out more.