Sometimes the best way to deal with a problem is to bluntly realize what the problem is and then do something about it.  The problem in this case is that many American children are fat and getting fatter.  The Surgeon General has declared childhood obesity a national epidemic and a recent study by the CDC estimated that one in three children born in the United States will develop diabetes sometime in their lifetime.  Due to this avoidable childhood epidemic, much attention has been focused on the health risks associated with childhood sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits, or nutrition.  According to the CDC statistical information for U.S. children between the ages of 9 - 13 years old, 61.5 percent do not participate in any organized physical activity outside of school hours, and over 22 percent do not participate in any type of physical activity during free time. 

It has been agreed by experts that strategies are needed to promote more healthy behaviors focusing on reducing sedentary activities while also promoting nutrition education and easier access to healthy foods.  It is also noted that physical activity also promotes a more heightened sense of confidence and well-being through both individual achievements and teamwork with others.  Although it is never too late to learn about healthier eating habits and a proper exercise routine, it seems that the earlier in life children become involved in eating and exercising correctly, the more that this type of behavior will become the norm in their lives rather than eating fast-food and sitting around playing video games.  Rehabmart can offer the school classroom, day care center, YMCA, health clubs, and the family home a fun way to get children to play both indoors or out with the Childhood Obstacle Course.

 
The Childhood Obstacle Course developed by KidsFit is a large collection of fun exercise products that can be arranged in any configuration to create an exercise obstacle course for children.  According to the ages of children, when ordering the Childhood Obstacle Course, a choice can be made to get a super small, an elementary, or a junior moonwalker, or an elementary sized semi-recumbent bike.  The Moonwalker will help kids with their balance, control, stride length, and differentiation skills, and is also well suited for cardiovascular workouts.  The Super Small Moonwalker is to be used by very young children, ages 3-8, and it is recommended to be utilized under the direction and supervision of a pediatric physical therapist for exercise therapy and rehabilitation.  The Elementary Cardio Kids Moonwalker is better suited for users in the 2nd to 6th grades and the Junior Cardio Kids Moonwalker is sized for users between the 6th and 9th grades.  The Elementary Semi-Recumbent Exercise Bike is one of the smallest commercial grade exercise bikes sold on the market and is specifically intended to be used by young children between the ages of 6-12 years old.

But the moonwalker or bike is only one of the many different pieces of this Childhood Obstacle Course.  The other pieces of the obstacle are one set of directional floor arrows, four padded floor mats, two narrow connecting bridges, one pivoting balance beam, one super small bike, one interconnected balance beam set with hula and slalom obstacles, one 16 foot deluxe climbing wall, one kneel and spin, two wide connecting bridges, one up-n-over rope climber and tunnel, one freestanding double-sided net climber, one 6-piece water lily bridge set, one slide and climb set with climber tower, one box and bridge obstacle set, one instructional cone set with 10 exercises, and two sets of different fitness posters.

  
With all of the pieces to create a whole lot of fun exercise, it will be easy to create the coolest and most excellent Childhood Obstacle Couse in the neighborhood.  Kids do love to run around and have fun but many seem to have forgotten how. Once they see this obstacle course it will be difficult for the teachers, therapists, instructors, or parents to get the kids to stop playing on it.  The best way to have children engage in some exercise is to make it fun and interesting for them, and the Childhood Obstacle Course is just the thing to bring pumping hearts, bodies balancing, laughter and giggles to the exercising and healthier children.

Bill Stock
Executive Editor,
Content & Social Media Services
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO