Yet another way to fight childhood obesity

What's with the childhood obesity epidemic? Oh, I mean besides the junk food, constant television, multitudes of console games and excessive computer use. That's Fit has recently posted some ways to help keep your kids lean, like substituting healthier beverages for soda and being aware of some of the high calorie foods you may want to limit.

Now here's a study that makes some sense, and makes me think back to my childhood. Research is showing that longer bouts of intense exercise are better than shorter bursts of activity. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, if that were so, then why are so many kids still inactive? When I was a kid, we'd come home from school and play outside with the neighborhood kids for a couple of hours until it was time for dinner. This free play consisted of climbing trees, playing tag and other kid-organized games, running from one house to another to play with the different swing sets, sandboxes and other outdoor toys, and riding bikes. In the wintertime, we didn't hibernate. We'd be out building snowmen, making igloos and sledding.

What's the point of this trip down memory lane? Kids don't have enough time to be kids these days, and being a kid naturally means lots of active playtime. Instead, adult-organized activities dominate kids' lives, as does excessive homework. The study showed that at least forty minutes of vigorous exercise each day is needed to ensure a fit kid. When kids got only ten to eighteen minutes a day, it wasn't enough.

Are adult-directed activities better than nothing? You betcha. I'd rather see an overweight kid trying a karate class once a week and joining a soccer league than sitting in front of the television set. But in my mind, nothing can replace the uninhibited, daily play that should be a part of every childhood.