HHS HealthBeat (January 16, 2012)

No time to play

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Times have changed for children. Playing on the jungle gym has become playing video games on the couch. Home cooked meals turned into fast food burgers. The opportunities for children to stay fit seem to be shifting for the worse.

Eliana Perrin is a pediatrician and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 “Schools really have to preserve active teaching time and not allow as much recess. And parents are working extra hard and don’t have as much time or money to cook healthy foods.” (13 seconds)

Working with your child can help change the routine to a healthy one.

“By encouraging smaller portions of healthy food, a more active and screen free lifestyle, and less sweetened beverages.” (8 seconds)

Dr. Perrin’s work is supported by a career grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: January 17, 2012