An organization called the Outdoor Foundation recently took a close look at how kids spend their time away from school, and the results of that study do more than wrinkle the adult brow. The survey found that the average child is spending about 35 hours per week parked in front of the television, and more time motionless while staring at the computer screen, or the face of a smartphone. Those are some scary numbers.
There's even more trouble in the results of the study, since fewer than 25 percent of the kids surveyed took part in some kind of daily physical activity. You don't have to be a math whiz to understand that means three-quarters of our children are in some kind of premature sedentary lifestyle. That can't be good for their health -- present or future.
With all of the fishing, hiking, swimming, camping, biking and general outdoors frolicking opportunities we have in our area parks, beaches and public areas, it would be nice to see that trend reversed. For at least a few hours a day, ban the remote, disengage the Internet, and get those kids outside. Their minds and bodies will benefit.
Comments