Today at the NRPA Legislative Conference, Dr. Bill Haskell of the Stanford University School of Medicine reported that 1 out of every 5 kids, ages 2-16, are obese in this country! The NRPA, the YMCA and the National Association of Sports and Physical Education have launched a new initiative called The Partnership For Play Everyday that aims to get kids active for at least 60 minutes each day.
Dr. Haskell: “We need to create a “Generation Play.” If we don’t get behind this kind of change, we are going to have Generation XXL — extra extra large.”
Did you know that the IPRA has an online mapping tool at LocateAPark.com designed for people in Illinois to find places to play? Still in its infancy stage, this site hopes to be the place for people to find quality parks and facilities to play at - and begin the process of reducing the obesity rate of our children. Future plans for the site include an area for agencies to post specific events and opportunities for the community to get involved in.
How are you fighting childhood obesity in your community? Post a comment here so we can all follow your lead.
We have to make sure to play now, or our children will pay later!!! A very special thanks to Senator Tom Harkin from Iowa for sponsoring the Play Every Day Bill. This bill calls for every child to have 60 minutes of daily physical activity (during the time of before, during, and after school). This was a truly inspiring kick off of a great partnership of NRPA, YMCA, NASPE, and corporate sponsors. This campaign can help place the focus of parks and recreation on its roots - health and wellness…