One in three children in the U.S. is overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented! In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, Symphony Healthcare, Inc. encourages your family to:
- Get active outside — walk around the neighborhood, go on a bike ride, or play basketball at the park.
- Limit screen time — keep inactive (sitting down) screen time to two hours or less a day.[This includes video game time]
- Make healthy meals — buy and serve more vegetables, fruits, and whole grain foods. Serve lean meats such as chicken breasts, lean pork, or lean beef. Limit portions and have only one helping per meal sitting. (No fried foods or snack cakes) Pack healthy lunches and or snacks in your child’s lunchbox.
Taking small steps as a family can help your child stay at a healthy weight and by setting a good example by leading by example, you as the parent can benefit from it as well.
To help you understand more about obesity as a whole, Symphony Healthcare, Inc. is offering FREE BMI [Body Mass Index] screenings for children ages 6-17-years-old during the month of September in recognition of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
If you would like more information please contact Symphony Healthcare, Inc. at 352-629-5939. Be sure to mention Ocala Post sent you.
Free Ocala Recreation That Can Help Keep Your Family Active:
- Jervey Gantt Health Trail
(Located at Jervey Gantt Park)
Length ~ Two miles
Lighting ~ Yes
Surface ~ Clay/Asphalt
Times ~ 4 a.m.~11 p.m.
Other ~ Excercise Stations
Class ~ Exercise
- Lillian Bryant Walking Trail
(Located at Lillian Bryant Park)
Length ~ One mile
Lighting ~ Yes
Surface ~ Clay/Asphalt
Times ~ 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Class ~ Exercise
- Tuscawilla Park Walking Trail
(Located at Tuscawilla Park)
Length ~ 3/5 mile
Lighting ~ Partial
Surface ~ Concrete
Times ~ Sunrise to Sunset
Class ~ Exercise
- Thompsons Bowl Walking Trail
(Located at Thompsons Bowl Park)
Length ~ 1/2 mile
Lighting ~ No
Surface ~ Concrete
Times ~ Sunrise to Sunset
Class ~ Exercise
- Scott Springs Nature Trail
(Located at Scott Springs Park)
Length ~ 1/4 mile
Lighting ~ No
Surface ~ Natural
Times ~ Sunrise to Sunset
Other ~ Rough terrain includes observation decks.
Class ~ Nature
- Heritage Nature Environmental Play Trail
(Located at Heritage Nature Conservancy)
Length ~ 2/5 mile
Lighting ~ No
Surface ~ Mulch
Times ~ Sunrise to Sunset
Other ~ Nature Education Play Stations
Class ~ Nature
Rules for all Parks: Leave No Trace. Stay on the beaten path. Do not disturb the vegetation or wildlife. Bring out what you take in. Have Fun!