HHS HealthBeat (February 1, 2013)

Active families, active kids

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

Kids have a lot of energy, but may not always be motivated to be active. However, when parents are active, kids are more likely to join in.

Shellie Pfohl is executive director of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

“Kids do what we do, not what we say.”

Playing active video games is one way to burn calories. 

“Choosing games for your family where the entire family can be utilizing that gaming system, getting that quality family time and being active together, what’s better than that?”

Parents and kids alike can start making activity a habit by earning their Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, also known as PALA+. The plus incorporates good nutrition practices.

“We encourage you to be active, 30 minutes a day for adults, 60 minutes for kids, five days a week, for six weeks.”

Learn more at fitness.gov.

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

Last revised: February 1, 2013