Tips to staying healthy during the school year
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ST. IGNATIUS — Just because summer is over, youth can still find ways to remain active during the school year.
St. Ignatius fitness staff member Arles Hendrickson plans to continue her three-year program of facilitating the importance of walking. Last year Hendrickson said she had 20 kids who signed up for her “Walk for Fun” event that gets kids to walk during their recess time and record how many steps they take.
“The kids enjoyed it,” Hendrickson said. “It was held right there at the school and some even got their friends involved.”
This year she plans to continue the program with third graders at the elementary school. The program lasts 10 weeks and consists of walking six laps around the playground, two days a week.
Hendrickson said the event was a way to educate children about how something as little as walking can improve health and fitness.
“Kids feel good about themselves when they are involved in sports or activities,” Hendrickson said. “Even teaching them to eat right,” she added, can improve health.
According to fitness specialist Carlin Matt, some examples of healthy foods and snacks are granola bars, juices, nuts, raisins, apples, bananas, peanut butter sandwiches and wholegrain cereals. Matt also organizes basketball 3-on-3’s and tournaments throughout the year.
Getting enough sleep is another crucial element to keeping children healthy and focused during the school year.
According to the National Sleep Association school-age children (5-10 years) need 10 to 11 hours of sleep and teens (10-17 years) require 8 to 9 hours of sleep to perform at their best in school and during after-school activities.
In addition to school sports, Hendrickson said there are many activities available at fitness centers, like the St. Ignatius Fitness Center, to keep kids fit and active after school as well. There are open gyms where they can play basketball, Wii fitness with games like bowling and golf and treadmills and weight lifting equipment for older children.
From February 14 to Mother’s Day, children can also participate in the “Walking the Rez” program that lets individuals and families compete to see who can walk the most.
She said she also hopes it sends the message home to parents and gets them involved as well.
“If the kid sets an example it sets one for the whole environment,” Hendrickson said.
