PRESQUE ISLE — When children are introduced to physical activity at an early age they will be more likely to continue to be active in their adult lives. That’s why Healthy Aroostook, a program of Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP) and a local Healthy Maine Partnership, was pleased to partner with five local daycare providers to adopt physical activity policies and provide equipment to over 50 children in Aroostook County.
The coalition got help from a grant provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and the Partnership to Improve Community Health.
“Everyone can benefit from regular exercise and kids who are active will have stronger muscles and be less likely to become overweight,” explained Dawn Roberts, ACAP/Healthy Aroostook community education specialist.
“Kids that are active sleep better and are better able to handle stress, which is why we were fortunate to be able to provide this valuable service right here in our area,” Roberts said.
Many things contribute to children being overweight, but the biggest one is that children are becoming more sedentary. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, those aged 8-18 seven and a half hours a day on screen media, including television, videos and computer games.
“Kids are just sitting around a lot more than they used to,” said Carol Bell, project director for Healthy Aroostook. “The most important way to help children become more active is to limit the amount of time they spend on sedentary activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents discourage screen time for kids under 2, and limit time for kids over 2 to less than one to two hours per day.”
At Healthy Aroostook the goal is for everyone to raise healthy, fit kids.
“Supporting these five daycare providers is just one way we are trying to reach that goal,” said Roberts. “If children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities they will embrace a healthier lifestyle at a young age and become healthier adults. They may even become role models to their parents.”
For more information on how to adopt physical activity policies or to learn more about healthy choices and physical activity opportunities please contact Roberts at (207) 554-4151 or by email at droberts@acap-me.org.
