Lifestyle » Connect with Kids

Walking to School
July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT

One in three children in the United States are overweight, but according to the Centers for Disease Control, there is an easy way to get kids moving. One in three children in America also lives within a mile of their school. But according to a new report from the CDC, barely half of those students walk or bike to class. Dr. Howell Wechsler, with the Centers for Disease Control, says that "Many, many children my generation, the great majority of kids walked to school, and now that's becoming an increasing rarity." Experts say there are several benefits to walking to school. In the fight against obesity, this is one easy way to get moving. Jessica Shisler, also with the Centers for Disease Control, says that "Not only does it give them physical activity, but it also give them the opportunity to learn and practice safe pedestrian skills." And experts have some old-fashioned safety tips: make sure kids walk facing traffic, stay on the sidewalk or, if there isn't one, stay on the far left of the road and always look both ways before crossing the street. Pat Wilder, with Safe America Foundation, says "Make sure that they show them from one intersection to the next as to what exactly they should be doing at that intersection." And, experts say, walking your child home is a great way to catch up on the day. Lawrence Anderson, with the Enterprise Foundation, says "They'll tell you what happened in school that day, as they chatter among each other. They'll say 'you remember what Mrs. so and so said in class today.' And if you listen, you'll find out a lot of things that they'll never tell you, but they'll talk to one of their peers."
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that every child get 50 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity 5 days a week. Right now, just 22 percent of American children meet that goal.

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