Life during a pandemic means a lot changed for children; they spend more time inside on the couch instead of playing outside.
One Green Country organization, It's All About Kids, is working to make sure kids stay active and develop healthy habits.
A recent study published by the research journal 'Obesity' shows children eat one more meal per day during the pandemic, including sugary drinks and more junk food.
The study also indicates children spent five more hours per day in front of their screens, like their phones, TV, and video games. Outdoor activities, like playing basketball, decreased by more than two hours per week.
Brooke Busby takes her son, St. August, to the park every day before she goes into work to ensure he is staying active.
"We can still let our kids play and have a good time and still keep them safe," Busby says.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obese or overweight children are at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Charley Daniel is the School Health Manager for It's All About Kids. She wants to make sure they increase the odds of keeping the virus at a distance for everyone.
The program teaches elementary students at Tulsa County schools how to lead a healthier lifestyle by utilizing exercise and nutrition. A typical session for the program incorporates thirty minutes of movement and food education in the classrooms.
This is done through distanced instruction, virtual learning, and fitness through video calls.
Daniel says they are doing their best to make sure their students get the CDC recommended sixty minutes of physical activity in any way possible.
"If we can have the kids moving, that's what's important, and we want to make movement fun," Daniel says.
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