Ways To Fight Childhood Obesity With Playground Equipment

Childhood obesity can cause many serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, difficulty breathing and sleeping, and low self-esteem. With more than 30 percent of American children and teens considered overweight or obese, and budget cuts reducing access to gym class, playgrounds can play a crucial role in fighting childhood obesity.

Childhood Lifestyle

American children ages 8 to 18 average more than 7.5 hours a day in front of some form of media, including television, computers, video games and portable electronic devices, according to a study released in 2010 by the Kaiser Family Foundation. As a result of an ever-increasing sedentary lifestyle, childhood obesity rates have skyrocketed in the last 30 years. Being obese not only puts your child at risk for ridicule at school, it increases his risk of serious health complications, including heart disease, diabetes and muscle and joint problems, both now and later in life.

Benefits of Playgrounds

Playgrounds provide mental and physical health benefits for children. Recess and visits to playgrounds offer children opportunities to run around, which helps strengthen their bones and improve their cardiovascular health, notes the American Association for the Child's Right to Play. At a playground, children expend energy -- and calories. Play also helps children deal with stress, reduce anxiety, become more sociable and improve thinking and learning abilities.

Playground Equipment

A variety of playground equipment offers children the ability to burn calories and build strong bones and muscles. Monkey bars, for example, hone eye-hand coordination, boost flexibility and strengthen upper and lower body muscles. Swings, slides and bouncy bridges all improve a child's motor, coordination and balance skills. Even games played on a playground, such as tag or hide-and-seek, encourage children to interact with each other, which helps build self-esteem, communication and social skills.

Other Considerations

Although playgrounds and physical activity offer one way to beat childhood obesity, parents and guardians also must focus on changing lifestyle habits at home. Encourage your child to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and to drink water instead of sugary beverages. Limit the amount of time your child spends in front of the television and other electronic devices and encourage her to live a more active life. Healthy living should be a goal for the entire family. Make positive changes in your life as well.