{"id":2211,"date":"2021-12-13T14:18:49","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T07:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/?p=2211"},"modified":"2021-12-13T14:18:49","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T07:18:49","slug":"5-tips-to-help-kids-get-active-during-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/5-tips-to-help-kids-get-active-during-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"5 tips to help kids get active during the COVID-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

With lockdowns and restrictions enforced by governments to combat COVID-19, the ongoing pandemic has had a detrimental impact on children\u2019s mental and physical health. According to a recent study<\/a> by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children\u2019s BMI (body mass index) doubled in 2020. Similarly, a JAMA study<\/a> found that children between the ages of 5 and 11 witnessed the greatest increase in BMI and obesity. Childhood obesity in Thailand<\/a> was already a problem before the pandemic, resulting in an even greater cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the University of Calgary found<\/a> that mood disorders had almost doubled globally in the first year of the pandemic, with 25.2% showing signs of depression. While children\u2019s mental health during the pandemic could be affected by the emotions and stress of the adults around them, poor eating habits and lack of exercise only makes matters worse.<\/p>\n

As if missing out on playing with friends outside and falling into unhealthy eating habits isn\u2019t bad enough, many children spent those additional hours indoors glued to their digital devices – creating a vicious cycle of anxiety and inactivity. Wondering how to help your kid develop healthy habits? This Pacific Prime Thailand<\/a> article offers five tips to help kids get active during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

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1. Break up children\u2019s physical activity<\/h2>\n

60 minutes of physical activity every day may sound like a big task, especially for parents who are working from home while trying to keep children entertained or help with their schoolwork. However, the activity doesn\u2019t have to happen in one sitting to be beneficial. Breaking it up into increments makes it easier to schedule, and prevents children from getting bored before they reach their activity target.<\/p>\n

If your child is doing virtual school, start by scheduling time throughout the day for exercise. Think of it like P.E. class at school or recess. There may be lots of virtual options when it comes to physical activity, but it\u2019s advisable to ditch the screen to encourage your children to exercise. With increased irritability, mood issues, and sleep issues resulting from lots of screen time, a break from electronics could do some good.<\/p>\n

When possible, break up time in front of the screen with outdoor activity, which is a natural mood enhancer. Remember that physical activity doesn\u2019t have to involve running or something grueling. Getting up and moving is what\u2019s important.<\/p>\n

2. Do active things as a family<\/h2>\n

Finding it difficult to motivate your children to get moving? You might want to try being active as a family. You can set a time to go for a walk or a bike ride together, doubling as special bonding time. Keep in mind that doing chores and other low-impact activities can also be beneficial to overall health. On top of that, interactive activities like jumping rope or playing tag are also highly recommended.<\/p>\n

There are many things children can do to stay active around the house. Look for fun ways to incorporate physical activity into their days without overdoing it. You\u2019ll soon find that more movement throughout the day is great for helping children cope after COVID-19.<\/p>\n

3. Play sports safely<\/h2>\n

Sports is one way to get your children out of the house if they\u2019re spending most of their time indoors. Even though your kid\u2019s risk of COVID-19 increases if they participate in team sports or other group activities, lower-risk activities are a good alternative. Tennis, golf, and other individual outdoor sports can be safe options. Conversely, indoor activities are often riskier since social distancing can be tricky.<\/p>\n

If your child isn\u2019t interested in individual sports, consider team sports that offer a bit more social distance, like football. It\u2019s advisable to have a chat with the coaches, other parents, and teammates to ensure everyone agrees with COVID-19 safety precautions. Likewise, you\u2019ll want to find out which precautions will be in place to keep your children safe and decide if they\u2019re acceptable. Some important questions to consider before deciding might include:<\/p>\n