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Showing posts from February, 2015

Doctors Prescribe kids to get outside to beat obesity

Childhood obesity is a major national concern in the U.S., with about one third of minors overweight. A vast number of campaigns to reverse this have arisen in the last decade, such as Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign and the NFL’s Play60 campaign. However, the most progressive response is a prescription to take a step back from our modern technology-based society: doctors are now writing “Outdoor Activity” on Rx labels to overweight and obese children. “Outdoor Activity” prescriptions have been successful so far, not only improving youth’s health but also teaching them to love being outside. According to Kay Debrosse, who runs a Massachusetts recreation center, “They love the outdoors more now … They moan and groan when you tell them to get off their computer, but then they don’t want to come back inside.” These prescriptions resonate deeply with parents and patients because they are individually prescribed by a doctor, instilling a more committed attitude toward change. The g