Nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. The numbers are even higher in African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children are overweight or obese.

One way to solve this problem is to ensure kids have healthy and safe places for physical activity. The CDC recommends kids get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.  Reaching 60 minutes of physical activity can be hard with distractions from electronic gadgets and without access to safe walkable routes and parks. Read these 4 easy tips to help your community get kids moving:

1. Get your local school system involved. Schools can promote physical activity by including time for recess, after-school clubs, interscholastic sports, and physical education. 
2. Limit screen time to 1-2 hours each day. Suggest that your kid go for a walk or ride a bike instead of spending that time in front of the TV or online.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast. Make sure to include fruits and vegetables in you and your kid’s breakfast each morning. Kids who eat breakfast have increased memory during the school day, are less likely to stay home, and have an improved mood.
4. Get 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Make sure kids get 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Partner with your school, church, and local community center to set up ways for more children to reach 60 minutes every day.

Do you have other tips to share? Leave a comment below and tell us about them!

Want to know more?

Let’s Move: http://www.letsmove.gov/

Ways to Enhance Childhood Activity and Nutrition (We Can!): http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov

CDC Physical Activity Facts: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalactivity/facts.htm