My Overweight Child: Rope-Jumping Helps Kids Stay Fit by Making Exercise Fun

Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

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Sunday, November 09, 2008

Rope-Jumping Helps Kids Stay Fit by Making Exercise Fun

The American Heart Association reports that engaging in moderate to vigorous activity three to five times a week can have dramatic and positive effects on a person's overall health. To get children moving, parents should choose an activity that seems more like play than exercise - for example, jumping rope.

"The best way to get your kids to put down the video game controller and pick up the jump rope, according to Brian Dodge, jump rope coach and member of the Guam Skipjacks, is to keep it fun. 'I like to introduce them to the long rope with jump rope readiness games and making it fun by letting them jump to music,' he said."

Dodge started jumping rope five years ago as a way to help control his cholesterol levels. He quickly began coaching young people in the activity, and even started an annual Jump Rope Competition. He encourages anyone who's trying to get in shape or lose weight to try it. Source: Pacific Daily News (Guam)

Labels: activity, exercise, having_fun