THE INACTIVITY OF CHILDREN LEADING TO HEALTH PROBLEMS Senge Ngalame Principles of Health Behavior, MPH 515 Dr. Danielle Hartigan June 24, 2014

INTRODUCTION Children are becoming more physically inactive The focus of this study is children aged 6-10 Theory of Planned Behavior Implemented programs: Community Transformation Grant Program, Federal Safe Routes to School Program, and Let’s Move! Keeping the Children Active(Proposed health program to make children more physically active) Creating ways for children to stay physically active

This chart illustrates what happens when children remain physically inactive

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Children spend more than 7 ½ hours in front of a screen(Television, computer, etc.) Minimum time in front of a screen is 2 hours Children are 40% less active compared to children 30 years ago

POPULATION CHOSEN The targeted group are children between the ages of 6-10 Age when diseases can develop that will follow them to adulthood 40% of children aged years old are at risk for heart disease, obesity, hypertension, high total cholesterol, and diabetes (Mavrovouniotis,2012).

THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR The child may not have anyone around to encourage them to be more active The area may not be safe for them to play outside Other children are playing with electronics instead

USE OF THEORY IN PRACTICE (LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY) Community Transformation Grant Program- Sponsored by the CDC, programs are funded to help people have healthier lifestyles. Examples are: improving physical education in schools, increasing the amount of schools that provide recess, and having more access to participate in community sports and recreation programs Federal Safe Routes to School Program- A funded program that allows states and communities to create programs and projects to make actively traveling to school safely and more tedious for children Let’s Move- Introduced by First Lady Michelle Obama, the goal is to lessen and solve what is causing childhood obesity in the United States within a single generation. The five objectives are: creating a healthy start for children, empowering parents and caregivers, providing healthy food in schools, improving access to healthy, affordable foods, and increasing physical activity.

KEEPING THE CHILDREN ACTIVE The objective of this program is to increase the amount of physical activity amongst children and lessen electronic usage Each child will create a pact that they will follow to remain more physically active and complete the habits at home The parents will be given a pamphlet with tips and suggestions about encouraging the children to be more physically active and creating a pact for themselves to use less electronics to set an example for the child By having the encouragement and watching family and loved ones will motivate the child to change their habits

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS By the year 2030, 51% of children will be overweight and 11% will be obese (American Heart Association, 2013) The U.S. Surgeon General recommends for children to have some form of physical activity every day of the week for a minimum of 60 minutes (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2007) It is best for parents to set a schedule for how long a child should use electronics as well as themselves Parents should create ways to keep children more active With children being at a high risk for disease, it is best for them to develop healthier habits that they can develop as adults

REFERENCES American Heart Association. (2013). Teaching America’s kids about a healthy lifestyle. Healthy bodies, healthy minds. Retrieved from C, S. (2012, September 28). Childhood activity vs. inactivity: what it means for adulthood. Strong-fit- beautiful. Retrieved from Centers for Disease for Control and Prevention. (2013). Community transformation grant program fact sheet. Community transformation grants. Retrieved from Let’s Move. (2010). Learn the facts. Let’s move: America’s move to raise a healthier generation of kids. Retrieved from Mavrovouniotis, F. (2012). Inactivity in childhood and adolescence: a modern lifestyle associated with adverse health consequences. Sport science review, vo doi: /v National Physical Activity Plan. (2014). The 2014 United States report card on physical activity for children and youth. Retrieved from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2007). Designing for active living among children. Active living research. Retrieved from activelivingresearch.org/files/built_design_0.pdf