Active play is the best play

Physical inactivity has been described as a global pandemic with a worldwide prevalence of 35%, according to Healthy Active Kids South Africa, the local form of a global initiative in which children’s health is assessed. The report further notes that physical inactivity accounts for more than five million deaths every year, about the same number as smoking.

The same report gives South African children a score of F for sedentary behaviours – meaning that our children spend far too much of their time sitting and not nearly enough time being active. Although this is partially due to the influence of television, radio, and computer games, it is also because organised sport participation, physical education, and active play are not encouraged enough to make a significant contribution to children’s physical activity levels.

Make physical activity a regular part of your kids’ lives

According to another study on the health of South Africans, the Discovery Vitality ObeCity Index, young people tend to have high levels of sedentary behaviour if their parents or siblings also have high levels of sedentary behaviour. This is one of the most important reasons to get up and get active with your kids. Here are two great ways to get your kids more active:

parkrun

parkrun is a global initiative to bring more physical activity to more people by offering free weekly runs in various outdoor locations. In South Africa, there are more than 50 parkrun locations, so there is sure to be one near you. These fun, timed events are family friendly and parents pushing prams over the 5km course are not an unusual site.

One of the best things about parkrun for you and your family is that you can finish at your own pace. You’ll soon find that you want to beat your previous time though, and you’ll be running up front with the fastest in no time!

If you complete 50 parkruns, you’ll get a special parkrun t-shirt and if you link your free parkrun profile to your Discovery membership, you’ll each get up to 500 points for each parkrun you complete! In June, your kids can earn an extra 250 Vitality points when they join you for any parkrun for the entire month!

See you at 8am every Saturday at your local parkrun event. For more information visit our parkrun information page.

Vitality Bikes

Another fantastic way to enjoy some quality time together as an active family is to take a bike ride in Cape Town! Discovery Vitality Bikes allows even casual cyclists the chance to enjoy a ride along Cape Town’s spectacularly scenic seaside promenade. You can rent a bike from any one of the bike stations located along the route and cycle the designated path along the promenade from Sea Point to the Waterfront, or even into the beautiful Green Point Park. The more adventurous can even cycle through the city.

Vitality Bikes rents single speed, back pedal-breaking cruisers from Holland which offer a gentle, relaxing way to exercise. There is a selection of bikes for children and adults; and toddler seats are available for children under 18kg so the whole family can join the fun!

Visit Up Cycles and our Vitality Bikes information page for more information.

With these two fantastic exercise options available, and so many more with Discovery Vitality, you have many great reasons to get active with the whole family!

Find out more about Discovery.