Back to school tips for safe backpack use. Adapted from the APTA article by Kristin Massamiri, Physical Therapist Making a commitment to be physically active is one of the best ways families can prevent or combat obesity and it’s consequences.

The Department of Health and Human Services give the following physical activity guidelines, which state:

1. Children should get 1 hour or more of physical activity a day.
   
2. Adults should do 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate- intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity.
   

Physical therapists’ extensive knowledge of pre-existing conditions (such as type 2 diabetes and obesity) allows them to help people of all ages and abilities establish life-long patterns of physical activity. The following tips can help families stay active and incorporate physical activities into their daily lives.

Smart Moves for Families:

1. Plan weekend family activities involving physical activity such as hiking, swimming, bicycling, tennis or bowling
   
2. Help your children plan physical activities with friends and neighbors.
   
3. Design a backyard obstacle course.
   
4. Provide positive rewards and positive feedback to each other when your lifestyle changes (don’t focus on the scale, focus on healthy).
   
5. Be your child’s exercise buddy.  As you schedule your child’s extracurricular activity, remember to prioritize physical activity for the entire family.
   
6. Encourage both team and individual sports. The individual sports such as swimming and tennis are the basis for lifelong fitness.
   

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