Kidz Moves - For children 6 to 12 years

It's exercise in a fun and safe environment.

Kidz Moves is a physical activity and nutrition program for children focusing on fun and fitness to keep kids physically active. Sessions are 60 minutes with activities such as fitness circuits, boxing, aerobics classes, introduction to weights, ball games and a healthy snack at the end.

There are two programs available:

1. Tuesday session during school term from 4:00pm – 5:00pm
2. Saturday session during school term from 9:30am – 10:30am.

Our growing obesity problem in children

Around one-quarter of Australian children are either overweight or obese. Children with weight problems tend to become obese adults, so it is important to encourage physical activity to help avoid obesity-related conditions later in life.

Some factors that contribute to the problem are:

• Decrease in physical activity ie. adults are more likely to drive children around, instead of them walking or riding bikes.
• Families spend less time outdoors.
• Parents, concerned about safety, discourage outdoor play both at home and in public parks. Families don't always eat meals together or at a dinner table.
• Children come home from school to an empty house and just grab what is easy and convenient.
• School lunches can be loaded with carbohydrates and fats.
• Our fast paced society sometimes means parents grab what's quick and easy to feed the family which sometimes isn't always nutritious.
• Television ads entice children to desire foods that can lead to obesity.
• Like adults children eat when they are not hungry, when they are bored, when they are emotional.

Benefits of Exercise for Children

Trying to force your child to be physically active "because it's good for them" may not work. Benefits of physical activity and exercise for children include:

• Cardiovascular fitness.
• Healthy weight.
• Improved posture.
• Reduced blood cholesterol.
• Better sleep.
• Boosted self-esteem and confidence.
• Improved concentration.
• Reduced stress, depression and anxiety.
• Enhanced social skills.

Ways to help

• Set a good example ie. do regular physical activity yourself, involve children in physical activities around the home such as gardening or cleaning the house.
• Walk short distances instead of taking the car.
• Remember any physical activity, not just structured exercise classes, is beneficial to health and wellbeing ie. flying a kite, jump on a trampoline.
• Do physical activities together as a family ie. ride bikes, walk the dog.
• Expose children to as many different types of sports and physical activities as you can.
• Start early in their life.
• Restrict television / computers.