VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The U. S. government released the 2018 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The Report Card examines nine indicators of physical activity, as well as health outcomes related to youth physical activity. Overall the United States earned a D minus in overall physical activity.

City County Health District (CCHD), NDSU Extension, Valley City Public Schools (VCPS), and area schools have recognized the need to help our students become more physically active. CCHD has obtained a grant to help each school develop a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP), which is a multi-component approach by which school districts use all opportunities for students to be physically active, meet the nationally-recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime.

Some of the key findings of the 2018 Report:
*Only 24% of children 6-17 participate in 60 minutes of exercise every day.
* About 66% of children and youth engage in over 2 hours of screen time per day.
*Fewer students walk or bike to school than 10 years ago; approximately only 13%.

One indicator for which there is no data is the percent of parents/guardians who are physically active with their kids, which we know is a positive action that parents can take.

“Another indicator that corresponds with increased exercise is the built-environment”, states Sharon Buhr of the CCHD. She notes that Valley City has worked hard to develop a network of multiuse paths, and there is a park within one-half mile of virtually every home in the city.

“Good health allows each of us to live full productive lives, and exercise is a major contributor to good health; and we want to help our students exercise and have fun doing it,” concludes Theresa Will, director of CCHD.