This year marks the 16th annual Family Health and Fitness Day USA, a national health and fitness event for families, set for Saturday, September 29, 2012. (It is always held on the last Saturday in September.) The event’s purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity, which is one of the goals of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health.
Local organizations throughout the country will host family-related health and fitness events at schools, parks, hospitals, YMCA’s, malls, health clubs, and other community locations. Activities will be non-competitive and may include walking events, low-impact exercises, health screenings, open houses, games, and health information workshops. This year’s program is expected to include exercise demonstrations, health fairs, family walks, and more. Most programs involve family activities as well as education and information about health and fitness topics.
Family Health and Fitness Day was first organized as a public/private partnership by the Health Information Resource Centers, and was conceived, in part, as a response to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. This landmark report made it clear that health benefits can be obtained from moderate physical activity on a regular basis. In addition, the Surgeon General’s Report stated that the majority of Americans, and especially children from ages 12-21 are not exercising nearly enough.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 17 percent of children and adolescents aged 2-19 are obese. For the adult population, one-third is considered overweight and another third considered obese. These statistics have contributed to what many experts believe to be a health crisis in America, and one that requires immediate attention.
Exercising as a family can be a fun, bonding event, as well as offering multiple health benefits. Here are a few suggestions for getting your family moving:
- Plan a game night that involves physical games, such as “tag” when the weather is nice or charades when you have to be indoors
- Choose active entertainment over passive, such as playing a Wii instead of regular video games
- Do your own yard work
- Choose active vacations that include an opportunity for hiking, biking, or swimming
- Play a sport with your child
For more information about Family Health and Fitness Day in your area, please visit www.FitnessDay.com/family
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