Fitness Can be a Family Affair

By Bob Knepper, Marketing Director, Dubuque Community Y

As a parent or caregiver, you should know that more than 60% of Americans get less than the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity a day and 25% do not exercise at all. On the average, inactive adults will gain one to two pounds each year due to their sedentary lifestyle. Increasing your activity will increase energy and reduce health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. Plus you will be a great example for your children and engage the whole family in a enjoyable activity.

One way to determine if you are getting the recommended amount of activity is to wear a pedometer for a week. An active person should average 10,000 or more steps a day. You also can convert activities into steps, such as dancing, biking, swimming etc. A conversion chart of -activities to steps is available at your local YMCA. To lose weight, the average adult should walk 2,000 more steps a day and consume 100 fewer calories.

The obesity epidemic in America is not limited to just adults, however. Increasing numbers of children are overweight and at risk for incurring health problems. Studies show one out of three children are overweight and up to 75% of overweight kids become overweight adults! Overweight children are at more risk for early onset diabetes and other illnesses once associated only with adults. This will put a great burden on our health care system in the future unless something is done to stop this trend.

In the family setting, parents play an important role in modeling good health and enrolling their children in programs that promote lifetime fitness. Taking a nightly walk or going to the local park or playground are healthy family activities. Joining a local gym will benefit the kids as well as mom and dad. Seniors also are finding that it’s never too late to exercise and gain the benefits of cardiovascular and weight-resistance training.

The key to the success of a healthier community is to have good health and recreational options for kids, adults, and families to choose. For example, the Dubuque Community Y has been serving the tri-states for over 140 years. Kids can learn to swim and improve their sports and fitness skills at the Y. Adults can swim, lift weights, and participate in a variety of exercise classes and other healthy activities that will lift their body, mind, and spirit.

The YMCA of the USA has created its own program called Activate America. As the nation’s oldest and largest community based organization with more than 2,600 associations and over 20 million members, the YMCA is uniquely qualified and positioned to impact our country’s growing obesity and health care crisis.

Your local Dubuque Community Y brings together people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds in programs that build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. For more information, call the Dubuque Community Y at (563) 556-3371 or go to www.dubuquey.org.