GET OUTDOORS!!
In the town of Kirksville, MO, there are twenty-two parks with many opportunities for the locals to participate in outdoor activities. Ranging from camping, hunting, and fishing to swimming, skating, and watching movies in the park, there are many ways people of all ages can enjoy themselves and the great outdoors. However these outdoor environments are not being utilized by the local population. When compared to the Missouri state prevalence of 44.4%, the prevalence of using walking trails, parks, playgrounds or sports fields for physical activity in Adair County is 34.5% (MICA, 2011). Representatives for Kirksville want to increase the knowledge of the outdoor resources available in the area, as well as promote physical activity.
There are many benefits to enjoying the great outdoors. According to Godbey (2009), living in a green environment positively relates to health indicators, such as levels of stress and amount of physical activity (p. 3). A specific benefit to outdoor recreation is a decrease in overeating and less suffering from pollution-related health problems (Godbey, 2009, p. 3). Natural settings have been shown to lessen the stress of people and numerous studies have found that rejuvenating effects have been associated with natural settings, including wilderness areas, prairies, community parks, and even rooms with houseplants (Godbey, 2009, p. 4). Outdoor recreation helps promote prevention of health problems. According to Godbey (2009), the walking that is promoted by outdoor activities has been shown to have the following health benefits for adults: weight management, blood pressure control, decreased risk of heart attack, boost of good cholesterol, lower risk for stroke, reduced risk of blood pressure, reduced risk of Type II diabetes, protecting hip joints, preventing depression, colon cancer, constipation, osteoporosis, and impotence (p. 5). These activities also help lengthen lifespan, lower stress, strengthen muscles and bones, improve sleep, and elevate one’s overall mood and sense of well-being (p. 6). Outdoor recreation also has a positive effect on obesity. Americans are not as physically active as they have been in the past, and physical activity has a relationship with obesity (Godbey, 2009, p. 7). Getting people outdoors and engaged in the community may help to reduce the prevalence of obesity, which is rather high in the Kirksville area.
Although outdoor recreation plays a vital role in the health of people of all ages, the health of children is especially influenced by outdoor recreation. Children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts (Godbey, 2009, p. 7). Godbey (2009) refers to three studies that use direct observation to report that being outdoors is the strongest correlate of the children’s physical activity (p. 8). The implications for children who do not get outside and get active include obesity and ADHD (Godbey, 2009, p. 8). There are certain activities that may be utilized to get children excited to spend time outdoors. These activities include, among many other creative ideas, building sand castles, playing in the rain, finding shapes in the clouds, jumping in leaves, catching fire flies, having a picnic, swimming, camping, bonfires, kite flying, gardening, bicycle riding, whistling with a blade of grass, build a treehouse, hike, and stargazing (Cortez et al., 2008).
There are many benefits to enjoying the great outdoors. According to Godbey (2009), living in a green environment positively relates to health indicators, such as levels of stress and amount of physical activity (p. 3). A specific benefit to outdoor recreation is a decrease in overeating and less suffering from pollution-related health problems (Godbey, 2009, p. 3). Natural settings have been shown to lessen the stress of people and numerous studies have found that rejuvenating effects have been associated with natural settings, including wilderness areas, prairies, community parks, and even rooms with houseplants (Godbey, 2009, p. 4). Outdoor recreation helps promote prevention of health problems. According to Godbey (2009), the walking that is promoted by outdoor activities has been shown to have the following health benefits for adults: weight management, blood pressure control, decreased risk of heart attack, boost of good cholesterol, lower risk for stroke, reduced risk of blood pressure, reduced risk of Type II diabetes, protecting hip joints, preventing depression, colon cancer, constipation, osteoporosis, and impotence (p. 5). These activities also help lengthen lifespan, lower stress, strengthen muscles and bones, improve sleep, and elevate one’s overall mood and sense of well-being (p. 6). Outdoor recreation also has a positive effect on obesity. Americans are not as physically active as they have been in the past, and physical activity has a relationship with obesity (Godbey, 2009, p. 7). Getting people outdoors and engaged in the community may help to reduce the prevalence of obesity, which is rather high in the Kirksville area.
Although outdoor recreation plays a vital role in the health of people of all ages, the health of children is especially influenced by outdoor recreation. Children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts (Godbey, 2009, p. 7). Godbey (2009) refers to three studies that use direct observation to report that being outdoors is the strongest correlate of the children’s physical activity (p. 8). The implications for children who do not get outside and get active include obesity and ADHD (Godbey, 2009, p. 8). There are certain activities that may be utilized to get children excited to spend time outdoors. These activities include, among many other creative ideas, building sand castles, playing in the rain, finding shapes in the clouds, jumping in leaves, catching fire flies, having a picnic, swimming, camping, bonfires, kite flying, gardening, bicycle riding, whistling with a blade of grass, build a treehouse, hike, and stargazing (Cortez et al., 2008).
Using this information and working closely with the City of Kirksville, I will campaign to increase the utilization of many of the great outdoor resources available. This will hopefully enhance the health of many people.
References
Cortez, Dyanne F., Wendee Holtcamp, and Bernadette Noll. "50 ways to get
kids hooked on the outdoors." Texas parks & wildlife magazine, Mar.
2008. Web. 02 Feb. 2013. ttp://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2008/
mar/ed_1/>.
Godbey, Geoffrey. "Outdoor recreation, health, and wellness: Understanding
and enhancing the relationship." 2009. 02 Feb. 2013.
org/documents/RFF-DP-09-21.pdf>.
Harden, Robin. "Meeting with Kirksville City reps." Personal interview. 29 Jan.
2013.
"Health & preventive practices for Adair County adults." Missouri department
of health & senior services. Missouri information for community
assessment, 2011. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
/County_Level_Study_12/header.php?cnty=001>.
"Health & preventive practices for Missouri adults." Missouri department of
health & senior services. Missouri information for community
assessment, 2011. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
/County_Level_Study_12/header.php?cnty=001>.
posted by carol cox @ 4:55 AM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
This is some really great information. I had no idea that it obesity also puts individuals at risk for ADHD. Personally feel the benefits of exercise have no boundaries and as a current Kirksville resident, I know there are many underused parks and nature trails that are great resources. Good luck encouraging the community to get out!
--Annie Crites
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