Couch Potato Syndrome and Our Kids
A recent study warns that couch kids ( kids that play video games for hours a day) are missing out on nature. Virtual play is replacing the real thing. With all the video games and the introduction of new game consoles such as the newer Wii the kids can set for hours and hours watching "virtual nature"
We are even starting to see other medical problems aside from the rising obesity and diabetes in children. Kids get strained wrists, neck pain and headaches from playing these games hour upon hour.
The popularity of these video games has created a new study that looks at all kinds of outdoor activites and has found an alarming decline in visits to national parks and all sorts of other outdoor activities like camping and fishing. Outdoor recreation has fallen by as much as 25% in the last 20 years. This new research has been a great cause of alarm among the conservationists since it has been proven that exposure to nature promotes environmentally reponsible behavior. Our pediatricians recomend that children need at least 1 hour of play outdoors. Maybe some of us grown ups should follow this advise as well.
If you would like to get back to nature a great place is The Natural Gait They are adding nature walks, frisbee golf and there are many oppurtunities to view wildlife, go hiking, fishing, bird watching, stargazing, night moth watch and much more.
Resources: Eric Bergan Chronicle,SciGuy blog
A recent study warns that couch kids ( kids that play video games for hours a day) are missing out on nature. Virtual play is replacing the real thing. With all the video games and the introduction of new game consoles such as the newer Wii the kids can set for hours and hours watching "virtual nature"
We are even starting to see other medical problems aside from the rising obesity and diabetes in children. Kids get strained wrists, neck pain and headaches from playing these games hour upon hour.
The popularity of these video games has created a new study that looks at all kinds of outdoor activites and has found an alarming decline in visits to national parks and all sorts of other outdoor activities like camping and fishing. Outdoor recreation has fallen by as much as 25% in the last 20 years. This new research has been a great cause of alarm among the conservationists since it has been proven that exposure to nature promotes environmentally reponsible behavior. Our pediatricians recomend that children need at least 1 hour of play outdoors. Maybe some of us grown ups should follow this advise as well.
If you would like to get back to nature a great place is The Natural Gait They are adding nature walks, frisbee golf and there are many oppurtunities to view wildlife, go hiking, fishing, bird watching, stargazing, night moth watch and much more.
Resources: Eric Bergan Chronicle,SciGuy blog
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