Improving Childhood Health and Development Through … · 2018. 4. 4. · The Odyssey Data source:...
Transcript of Improving Childhood Health and Development Through … · 2018. 4. 4. · The Odyssey Data source:...
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IMPROVING CHILDHOOD HEALTH AND
DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EXPOSURE TO NATURE AND
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
Outline
I. Sedentary Behavior
II. Current State of Childhood Health
III. Benefits of Connecting with Nature
IV. Trends in Outdoor Activity
V. What We Can Do
The average child spends approximately 7 hours each day using some form of electronic
entertainment media.
Rideout VJ, Foehr UG, Roberts DF. (2010) Generation of M2 Media in the Lives of 8‐18 Year Olds. A Kaiser Family Foundation Study
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The Odyssey
Data source: PriceWaterhouseCooper
Family Time
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Is screen time really so bad?
•Time spent watching is time spent sitting.
•Sleep interference
• Increased exposure to advertising for unhealthy foods
•Snacking
Unstructured Play
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Factors Contributing to Sedentary Lifestyle• Socioeconomic
• Crime
• Parental fears
• The built environment
Outline
I. Sedentary Behavior
II. Current State of Childhood Health
III. Benefits of Connecting with Nature
IV. Trends in Outdoor Activity
V. What We Can Do
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Overweight and Obesity
• Nearly 1/3 of American children are overweight.
• 17% are obese.
Childhood Obesity: Prevention E-book dgibbs121.blogspot.com
How is overweight and obesity determined?
For children and adolescents (aged 2—19 years):
Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
Trialx.com
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Mozartinshape.org
Mental Health‐ Anxiety
Mental Health‐Depression• 1‐2% of pre‐pubescent children
• 4‐6% of adolescents
• Twice as many girls than boys
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“Imagine a world in which antidepressants are prescribed less and nature is prescribed
more.”
‐Richard Louv, “The Nature Principle”
Mental Health‐ ADHD• 8.4% of children 3‐17 years of age are diagnosed with ADHD.
• Boys three times more likely than girls.
Overmedicating for ADHD?
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Outline
I. Sedentary Behavior
II. Current State of Childhood Health
III. Benefits of Connecting with Nature
IV. Trends in Outdoor Activity
V. What We Can Do
Benefits of Connecting with Nature• Overall Well‐being
• Growth and Development
• Physical Activity
• Attention (ADD/ADHD)
• Anti‐Depression
• Stress/Anxiety Reduction
• Environmental Awareness
Overall Well‐Being• Sick less often
• Better sleep
• Increased Vitamin D
• Improved vision
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The outdoors is a world of imagination and
creativity for children.
Outdoor play helps children develop a
sense of independence and
autonomy
Physical Activity
• More advanced motor fitness• Less aggression• Fewer disciple problems• Less likely to smoke or use illicit
drugs• Less likely to engage in criminal
activity.
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Time spent in nature has a restorative effect. It restores the child’s ability for focused voluntary
attention.
Benefits include accessibility, lack of negative side effects, inexpensive, and no stigma.
Anti‐Depression• Exercise releases endorphins
• Natural light stimulates neurotransmitters and production of Vitamin D
Nature acts as a buffer against life’s stresses.
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Environmental Awareness
Outline
I. Sedentary Behavior
II. Current State of Childhood Health
III. Benefits of Connecting with Nature
IV. Trends in Outdoor Activity
V. What We Can Do
The good news…
“Perhaps most significant, participation rates rose among America’s youngest generations. Thanks to
nationwide efforts to reconnect youth to the outdoors, more children, adolescents and young adults got up and got outdoors in 2011.” –Outdoor
Foundation, 2012 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report.
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Image taken from Outdoor Foundation, 2012 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report
Youth and Young Adults Through 2012
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Most Popular Outdoor Activities
1. Running, Jogging and Trail Running (28.1%, 22.7 million participants)
2. Bicycling (Road, Mountain, BMX) (22.3%, 18.0 million participants)
3. Fishing (Fresh, Salt and Fly) (18.0% , 14.6 million participants)
4. Camping (Car, Backyard and RV) (17.5%, 14.2 million participants)
5. Hiking (12.7%, 10.3 million participants)
Data shows a significant decrease in participation of team sports by the time a girl reaches
16 years old.
Participant Breakdown by Race/Ethnicity
African American/Black 11%
Asian/Pacific Islander 7%
Caucasian/White, non‐Hispanic 70%
Hispanic 8%
Other 4%
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Mountain 61%
West North Central 54%
East North Central 52%
Pacific 51%
New England 49%
West South Central 47%
South Atlantic 46%
East South Central 46%
Middle Atlantic 45%
Outline
I. Sedentary Behavior
II. Current State of Childhood Health
III. Benefits of Connecting with Nature
IV. Trends in Outdoor Activity
V. What We Can Do
“My own prescription for health is less paperwork, and more running barefoot
through the grass.”
~Terri Guillemets
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How much time does your child spend outdoors?
What types of physical exercise does your child get each day?
How much screen time?
What types of “unstructured” play does child get?
Do you have a family garden?
What types of activities do you do together as a family?
Physicians feel they do not have the time to give adequate
counseling.
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Create community spaces the encourage physical activity.
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Introduce environmental awareness to children with the small things.
Ways to Encourage Free Play• Reconsider extra‐curricular activities.
• Change your mind set.
• Push your comfort zone.
• Let your child be bored.
• Get to know your neighbors.
What Can We All Do?
• Take a proactive approach
• Share responsibility
• Become role models
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Questions?
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may
heal and give strength to body and soul.
~John Muir