Children and adolescents need to play. More specially, they need active play. They need to play games, play sports and play outdoors. Play is not the first word that comes to mind when we think physical activity, but active play is physical activity. And it is recommended that children and adolescents get 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.
However, too few young people are meeting these recommendations. As a result they are not getting all the benefits that being physically active at the recommended levels brings. Physical activity brings many health benefits; it helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity. Physical activity has also been associated with academic benefits including increased concentration, improved classroom behaviors and better memory.
To meet physical activity recommendations, young people need opportunities to move more everywhere they spend their time. It will take supportive action from adults all across our state to help young people in North Carolina meet these recommendations. The after-school programs and partners in North Carolina have heeded the call and have come together to create a set of standards for physical activity in after-school programs. Released in April 2009, the Move More North Carolina: Recommended Standards for After-School Physical Activity outlines how after-school programs can make physical activity an intentional component of their programs.
The after-school standards were created by the Move More After-School Collaborative (MMAC) composed of after-school providers, funders and community partners working together to promote more intentional physical activity opportunities for children and youth. Together, MMAC partners advocate for and support best practices for physical activity in after-school programs.
Many after-school providers from across our state are adopting the voluntary standards. As a result, more young people are getting more daily physical activity. With over 150,000 youth served by after-school programs in our state, this is an important step to helping young people move more.
To find out more about the Move More After-School Standards and the Move More After-School Collaborative visit: www.MoveMoreAfterSchoolNC.com.
The Move More After-School Standards support Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina, a statewide movement that promotes increased opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity wherever people live, learn, earn, play and pray. To learn more about Eat Smart, Move More NC visit www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com.