Cook County Health Offers Tips for Helping Your Child Get Active

As the weather in Illinois gets warmer, opportunities to get outside and be active increase, and that goes for children as well.

With the American Academy of Pediatrics reporting that one in five school-aged children can now be classified as obese, the warmer weather presents a great opportunity to encourage kids to get outdoors.

Cook County Health offers the following tips to get your child moving.

1. Find a fun activity. Help your child find an activity they enjoy. Whether it's an organized one, like basketball or swimming, or an activity such as hopscotch or jumping rope, there are lots of ways to get moving.

2. Be a role model. Children who regularly see their parents enjoying sports and physical activity are more likely to do so themselves. If you don't have a program of your own, start with 15 minutes of activity per day.

3. Play with your child. Help them learn a new sport or active game. Take a walk or ride your bike with them.

4. Turn off the TV. Limit TV watching and computer use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one-to-two hours of total screen time, including TV, videos, computers and video games, each day. Use free time for more physical activities.

Families concerned about their child's activity level or weight should speak with their primary care doctor or pediatrician. They can help talk to your child about the importance of physical activity and may be able to suggest activities suitable for your child.

If you are in need of a physician for yourself or your child, call Cook County Health at 312-864-0200.