Children are known to think on their feet, but are they getting on their feet as often as they should? With lifestyle diseases overtaking us by the hour, are we fit enough, is a question that will be upper most on the mind, especially with a pedometer latched on!
The government has announced that children from the deprived areas of England will be given pedometers; these instruments count the number of steps the person actually takes. Pedometers will deeply influence attitudes towards fitness and also bring about a change in the family, experts opined. Further, this will inspire children and parents alike to be up on their feet.The project, costing £494,000 will ensure the distribution of 45,000 pedometers to 250 primary schools in the most deprived parts of England.
Public health minister Caroline Flint said ‘Simple things like going out for a walk, or taking the stairs instead of a lift, can all help to improve your overall physical well-being. Using pedometers in schools has successfully encouraged children, especially those who do less exercise, to become more active. It is particularly impressive that the children's enthusiasm for pedometers has led to whole families becoming fitter as children have been so eager to improve their step count they have persuaded their parents to do things like go walking with them, or join an exercise club.’
Surely, this is going to a worthy feat- setting habits for life might just begin with that first important step- sporting a pedometer!
Source-Medindia
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