Niswonger Children's Hospital is committed to making the future healthier for the children in our region by promoting healthy lifestyle and injury prevention programs in the community.

Kohl's commitment to Niswonger Children's Hospital and the Kohl's Kids on the Move program are made possible through Kohl's Cares for Kids®. From the program's inception in 2000, Kohl's has turned $5 merchandise into more than $126 million for children's initiatives nationwide. Throughout the year, Kohl's sells special Kohl's Cares for Kids® merchandise with 100 percent of the net profits benefiting children's health and education initiatives. Currently, Kohl's supports more than 150 hospital partners nationwide.

Developing programs that stop unhealthy choices before they become long-term habits is one way Niswonger Children's Hospital is showing its commitment to improving the health of children in Southern Appalachia.

The importance of physical activity

The hectic American lifestyle has put physical activity on the back burner, and fast food meals on the go have taken the place of family dinners. So what does this mean? It means that Americans are eating more and moving less. This combination is a recipe for an unhealthy future, including serious medical conditions that in the past were only found in adults.

Kohl's Kids on the Move
Niswonger Children's Hospital is using the Kohl's Kids on the Move program to get our kids to "jump up" and get moving for improved health and fitness. As part of the program, "Move It Moments" incorporate small spurts of activity throughout the day, using a song called "Jump Up!" that will inspire kids of all ages to get moving!

How do I bring Kohl's Kids on the Move to my children's organization?

Scheduling is available for an instructor to visit preschools, elementary schools, after-school programs and any organization that works with children to show how just a few spare minutes can be transformed into a Move It Moment!

For more information on the Kohl's Kids on the Move program, please call the Communications and Community Outreach Department at Niswonger Children's Hospital at  423-431-1014 or e-mail swinehartjk@msha.com.

Did you know ...

• One-third of our nation's children are overweight.
• More children are being diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure at younger ages.
• Kids should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
• Children who watch less TV are more likely to be involved in physical activities and eat less.

MOVE IT MOMENT

The Move It Moment was designed with kids on the go in mind. Our lives are much more hectic these days, but we still can't seem to get in enough physical activity to meet the daily standard.

"Jump Up!"

The energetic song, "Jump Up," paired with fun movements, is a quick and easy combination that encourages children to achieve the amount of activity needed each day by fitting it into several 3- to 4-minute sessions throughout the day. This activity is a great fitness break in the classroom, at home and on the playground. Children enrolled in the Kohl's Kids on the Move program will each receive their own copy of the CD so they can have access to the music whenever they feel the urge to MOVE IT!

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Young children seem to be naturally active, but as they watch the adults in their lives sit more and move less, they do the same. Activities that kids used to do every day such as walking or biking to school don't happen much anymore. That means that we have to find ways to add physical activity into each day to stay healthy.

Active Living

"Active living" is the key to getting our daily requirement of physical activity. This can be as simple as parking in the last parking spot to maximize your walk to the grocery store,  or planning a family picnic at a nearby playground instead of a fast food dinner and movie.

FINDING BALANCE

To be healthy, we need a balance of what we eat and what we do physically. What does this mean? It means that it's OK to have a piece of cake at a birthday party celebration, as long as we give our bodies the opportunity to work off those extra calories. We can't do that by sitting at the computer or watching TV. We need to make healthy choices about what we eat, especially if we are not able to fit in enough activity each day.

Rediscover the Family Dinner

Researchers have found that the family dinner is almost extinct! Families that cook and eat meals together are healthier than those who grab meals on the go. Sitting down to a home-cooked meal with your family may take some planning, but it is certainly worth the effort.

SCREEN TIME *(TV, Computer and Video Game Time)

Recent studies on children and youth indicate that children who watch more television are more likely to be overweight. Children who watch less TV are more likely to be involved in physical activities and eat less. Pediatric professionals advise children should not view more than two hours of screen time per day, and should not eat while watching TV.

Clever Marketing

Another concern connected to TV is food-related marketing. Children who watch more TV are going to view more commercials. A majority of food products marketed to children on TV are unhealthy foods that are high in sugar, fat and sodium.