November 30, 2007
Active Gifts for the Holidays - Kid Tested, Doctor Approved
Physicians Plus Releases Annual List of Top Active Gifts
The holiday shopping season gives parents a unique opportunity to support an active lifestyle for their kids. With ever-growing options for entertainment, kids generally stick to what they enjoy doing most — including being inactive. Parents have to be savvy about the toys they choose if they hope to influence their child’s behavior and activity level.
To help parents cut through the holiday gauntlet of toys and decide which gifts have the most potential to get kids moving, jumping and dancing, Physicians Plus recently released a list of the 2007 Top Ten Active Children’s Holiday Gifts.
“We looked at current trends, talked with pediatricians and checked with the real judges — kids and parents — to build this year’s top ten list of active gifts,” said Physicians Plus Director of Marketing Kathryne Auerback. “Establishing an active lifestyle for children isn’t something you can do over night, but this is a great, easy way to start.” Gifts were chosen based on accessibility, price, safety and fun.
Youth oriented electronics and video game systems are expected to capture the most dollars this holiday season, according to the Toy Industry Association. But, we are seeing the introduction of new and innovative uses of technologies that are paving the way for high tech fun that also is active. For example, the Fisher Price Smart Cycle relies on a television but keeps kids active by guiding them through educational pedaling exercises.
While game systems get a big push by retailers and a lot of attention in the media, a study by the Toy Industry Association found kids spend more time playing with toys than video games. Physicians Plus cites this study to remind parents not to discount traditional gifts that get kids moving.
Healthy, Active Habits Start in Childhood
Most parents don’t want to think of their children as being anything other than happy and healthy. Unfortunately, statistics show many kids could use some motivation to be more active. The incidence of overweight children and childhood obesity has increased sharply over the last several decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 1 in 5 children are overweight. An active lifestyle is a major factor in weight control for adults and children.
“Childhood is an important time to establish healthy habits with your kids,” says Physicians Plus Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Ron Parton, MD, MPH. “Studies show that kids are more likely to be obese as adults if they were overweight as children, compounding the severity of obesity related illnesses.”
In addition to releasing an annual list of active gifts, Physicians Plus demonstrates a year-round commitment to fighting childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles through its innovative GO (Get Out) campaign.
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