Dear Editor:
Summer is upon us, meaning children and families are daydreaming about the hot summer days spent swimming at the beach, lake, water park or pool. But did you know that in addition to being a fun activity for kids and families, swimming is also an important tool in the ongoing fight against rising levels of obesity in the United States?
With 60 million adults — 30 percent of the U.S. population — and nine million children obese or overweight, increased physical activity for our children and families is of critical importance to our community. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the current generation of American children could be the first to lead shorter lives than their parents.
Health means different things to different people, and we all have a different focus or starting point. For example, parents focus on healthy eating, or education, or being active with their family. Whatever your focus, the Henderson County YMCA provides a healthy environment, rich with opportunities for children and families in our community to get fit this summer. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise because it tones the entire body while providing an excellent cardiovascular workout, and strengthens the heart muscle while improving delivery of oxygen to muscles.
When kids and parents spend time together engaged in fun fitness activities, they're doing more than making memories—they’re developing a lifelong commitment to physical exercise and respect for their health. Children tend to pattern their behavior after their parents, so if parents enjoy swimming or other outdoor fitness, their children will likely too.
Kids love playtime. And while they might view time at the pool, beach or water park as simply fun, swimming is also wonderful exercise once they learn the fundamental swimming strokes—so much fun, they may just forget they are exercising! Henderson County YMCA helps kids and families build self-confidence, self-esteem and skills for a lifetime of safe, healthy activity and enjoyment.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Morton
Executive Director
Henderson County YMCA
Opinion
Fight against obesity
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