{"id":7943,"date":"2000-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2000-01-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washingtonfamily.com\/2000\/01\/01\/healthy-kids-all-winter-long\/"},"modified":"2000-01-01T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2000-01-01T00:00:00","slug":"healthy-kids-all-winter-long","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.washingtonfamily.com\/healthy-kids-all-winter-long\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Kids All Winter Long"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Beth Cline<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask any parent if they think their child is physically fit and nine out of ten will respond with a resounding \u201cyes.\u201d But according to a recent study by the University of Missouri-Columbia, 60 percent of those parents will be wrong. The study found that only 3 in 10 children are, in fact, physically fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the days get shorter in these winter months, children start to spend more and more time inside in front of the fireplace or the warm glow of the television, and spend less time involved in physical activity. Teaching children to continue exercise even in the colder, busy winter months promotes long-term health and strengthens commitments to healthy habits while promoting a child\u2019s fitness level, their self-confidence and body image.<\/span><\/p>\n

While many parents are concerned for their child\u2019s health if they play outside in the cold weather, studies show fresh air can reduce the spread of colds, germs and the flu. It is not uncommon for children to remain indoors with little fresh air circulation throughout the colder months of the year. Parents should allow their children limited amounts of time outside while being considerate of outdoor temperatures and the often-overlooked wind chill factor. Most importantly, dress children in gloves, coats, hats, scarves, boots and whatever else is necessary to maintain warmth as they go out to play during the winter months. Parents should remember a few safety tips when allowing their children to go out in the cold:<\/span><\/p>\n