Governor Laura Kelly today proclaimed May 5, 2023, as Kansas Kids Fitness Day. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Governor’s Council on Fitness (GCOF) and the Kansas Association for Health Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (KAHPERD) encourage youth in Kansas to celebrate Kansas Kids Fitness Day by having fun while staying physically active.
“Physical Activity plays a vital role in the lives of everyone, but especially our children! Being physically active for 60 minutes a day can increase not only their physical health, but their mental health as well,” said Tara Yost, physical education teacher at Seaman USD 345 and the advocacy chair at Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. “This proclamation emphasizes the importance of ensuring all Kansas kids are provided opportunities to be physically active and have high-quality physical education, health and recreation programs. May 5 will be a day for all Kansas Kids to celebrate being physically active and healthy, but what matters most is ensuring we provide them with these opportunities throughout the year.”
This annual event highlights the importance of physical activity and nutrition for kids and encourages youth in Kansas to make healthy lifestyle choices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children ages 3-5 be active during play and throughout the day. Children and adolescents ages 6-17 should be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day and include aerobic exercises like walking or running, muscle-strengthening exercises like climbing or doing pushups, and bone-strengthening activities like jumping or running.
Regular physical activity can improve mental and physical well-being in people of any age. It can improve:
- heart and lung health,
- build strong muscles,
- regulate body fat,
- help maintain healthy blood sugar levels,
- improve blood pressure and
- and can prevent several chronic diseases.
Providing an opportunity for kids to be engaged in sports and physical activity at an early age increases their level of physical activity as adults.
Please find the proclamation here.