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Cancer Society News
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Welcome to the Cancer Society Otago Southland Division website
The Cancer Society of New Zealand is the leading organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence of cancer and ensuring the best cancer care for everyone in New Zealand. We are committed to providing leadership in cancer control, working with communities, and providing core services in health promotion, support, information and research. Please take a moment to look around our website. You can also contact our 0800 CANCER Helpline for information about Cancer, or find out more about our Support Services. |
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Last Modified: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:00 a.m.
For further information, click here ...
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| Children From Active Homes |
Children from active homes more likely to be active teens
The key to raising active teenagers is giving them plenty of opportunities to play at home
and be part of an active family when younger, new University of Otago research suggests.
The finding comes out of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study
at the University, which has followed 1000 Dunedin-born people since their birth in
1972/73. It is published in the March issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.
At ages seven and nine, home-based opportunities to climb trees and fences, play on
swings, play in paddling pools, ride bikes and play ball games were recorded, as well as
family involvement in social and recreational activities. Later, at ages 15 and 18,
physical activity participation was also measured.
Lead author Dr Rose Richards says the research found that study members whose
childhood family environment involved more social and recreation activities and
opportunities to play at home were more likely to maintain that active lifestyle during
adolescence.
“We already know that keeping kids and teens physically active is important for their
health and development. Unfortunately, physical activity usually declines during
adolescence, so it is exciting to find childhood factors that we can encourage to help
protect against this,” Dr Richards says.
“Having opportunities for children to play outdoors in the home environment, and
encouraging a family dynamic where regular participation in social and recreational
activities is part of normal family life, gives kids a head start for staying active when they
are older.”
Dr Richards is based in the Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit and the
Dunedin Multidisciplinary health and Development Research Unit at the University.
For more information, contact:
Dr Rose Richards
Tel: 03 479 7209
Email: rose.richards@otago.ac.nz |
Published: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:00 a.m.
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