Children's fitness programs aim to decrease obesity and related medical conditions among America's youth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children engage in three kinds of physical activity: aerobic, muscle strengthening and bone strengthening. Many fitness programs combine physical activity with nutrition information to promote healthy dietary practices. In response to concerns about child fitness, many communities and schools offer programs that help children get moving and stay healthy.
BAM!
BAM!, or Body and Mind, is a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that takes a holistic approach to child fitness by including physical activity, nutrition, health and emotional well-being. BAM!, which is designed for kids ages 9 to 13, is an Internet-based, interactive program that teaches kids about fitness. The physical activity page provides suggestions, ideas, schedules and calendars for charting activity, and fitness stories from athletes and other children.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is national program that promotes fitness for girls ages 8 to 13. Activities include training for an annual running event, regular workouts and improving self-esteem and emotional health. Girls on the Run empowers girls to take charge of their fitness needs to prevent poor choices in the future. The program provides a curriculum that addresses all aspects of girls' development around running, a central fitness focus.
National Youth Physical Fitness Program
The National Youth Physical Fitness Program is operated by the United States Marines Youth Foundation, which aims to increase the number of physically fit youth in the country. The program provides free materials, including instruction handbooks and certificates, to physical education instructors in schools to operate the program. The program provides incentives to students to make healthy lifestyle choices and improve their fitness levels. The program also provides exercise plans, guidelines for implementation and instructions for youth fitness testing three times during each school year. The U.S. Marines Youth Foundation offers a similar program for high school students.
Presidential Active Lifestyle Award
Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, or PALA, is a national effort of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. PALA is for individuals, groups and schools. Schools use PALA to encourage physical fitness in students of all ages. The program provides a plan for choosing a physical activity or exercise, logging the participant's regular participation in the activity and receiving an award for meeting the challenge. The program's website offers an interactive method for tracking activity and building a community of schools and students working toward fitness goals.
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