Healthy + Happy #2: The State of Youth Physical Activity
Friends of Life Time Foundation,
We are glad to have you back for our second (!) edition of Healthy + Happy, the Life Time Foundation Newsletter where we try to help you stay informed on all things related to youth nutrition and physical activity. After reading please let us know what you think by reaching out to info@ltfoundation.org.
There is a lot to get to so let’s get to it.
In the News
No more free lunch
Congress did not extend the school food waiver. In short, if your kids started receiving meals during the pandemic, those days are done. School meals didn’t make the federal government’s priority list, and the consequences could be devastating to school budgets and food security for our country’s children. Several groups are urging lawmakers to rethink this decision and make universal school meals a reality for at least one more year. We urge you to contact your representative to support H.R. 6613 Keeping School Meals Flexible Act.
USDA Actions on Nutrition Security
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack delivered a live talk on USDA Actions on Nutrition Security on March 17, 2022. A written summary of the plan reveals a commitment to promote food and nutrition security to “improve health and wellness, reduce diet-related chronic diseases, and advance health equity.” Check out the replay to hear the entire speech.
It’s good for you, but is it fun?
During the past few years, we’ve witnessed the lines blur between virtual and traditional physical activity. COVID created lots of new opportunities for movement in our homes, but for kids, the emphasis should be on play and FUN, not counting miles or minutes. Digital and in-home activities are widely available, yes, but in-person, movement-related activities for kids offer numerous other benefits. For example, playgrounds not only scream “fun”, but also help improve children’s social, physical and mental health, and much more. As Project Play’s, Children’s Bill of Rights in Sport, notes, all children have the right to fun.
It’s fun, but is it good for you?
With the pandemic and rise of screentime, e-sports, a competitive form of video games, has seen a surge in popularity. This widespread demand has come with unforeseen costs to those who over-embrace this new medium. The CDC recommends that youth perform 60 minutes of aerobic exercise daily and muscle and strengthening activities 3 times per week (here are some examples of each type of activity). No amount of Rocket League or Call of Duty will get them close to meeting those recommendations.
Leader
The State of Youth Physical Activity
For the state of youth physical activity, we turn to the experts at Aspen Institutes’ Project Play, the authority on youth sports and physical activity. Their annual report, State of Play 2021, reveals the impact of the pandemic on our nation’s youth: youth obesity went up 19% from 2020-2021, 28% of parents reported their child was not interested in returning to play organized sports, and mental health issues intensified while kids doubled their screen time.
But there was also some good news: kids began playing on their own which resulted in higher levels of physical activity for older kids. This finding demonstrates there is an enjoyment of movement and that potentially it is the adults who have some work to do. Project Play suggests that the “time is now” for adults to re-examine their pre-pandemic approach to youth activity.
The experts at Project Play promote free play, multi-sport sampling and intramural leagues as a way to re-engage youth in movement and play. Their research shows that intensive year-round training in kids younger than 12 years old can actually reduce a child’s enjoyment of sports. While money, time and stress can feel like too much for both athletes and families, the allure of college scholarships keeps some in the game. Fewer than 2% of high school athletes receive scholarships and only 1% of those athletes receive a full-ride.
Interested in supporting the development of youth through sports? Check out the newly released,School Sports Playbook, which offers eight “plays” (i.e. strategies) to develop students through sports and ideas on how stakeholders can support.
Events, Happenings and Opportunities
Project Play Summit, May 4 in Washington, D.C.
Project Play Champions, applications due by March 31
Bras for Girls donates sports bras to girls who need them
Have other national events or grant opportunities you'd like us to highlight? Let us know.
We hope you enjoyed Healthy + Happy. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or thoughts you have.
Sincerely,
The Life Time Foundation Team