Dr.
Frizzell was recently featured in an article about teen fitness in the Commercial Appeal! We talk a lot about healthy living at Pediatric Consultants
and on our blog, and this article has great tips for getting active and staying
fit:
“In his
more than 30 years of practicing general pediatrics, Dr. Noel K.
"Kip" Frizzell, CEO of Memphis-based Pediatric Consultants PC, has
seen firsthand the problems associated with teenagers who don't get enough
exercise.
"Today's
teens are not getting close to enough exercise," Frizzell said.
"There are a million reasons that we could blame it on, but, overall, the
incidence of obesity and poor physical fitness are just way too high. I write a
lot of 'healthy living' prescriptions these days, but, unfortunately, it mainly
comes up when I'm seeing some of my patients with obesity."
Frizzell
recommends at least one hour of exercise each day for teens. "It doesn't
have to be a strenuous workout, just something fun that will make you breathe
fast and get your heart rate up," he said. "Any kind of play outdoors
will do." (Check out letsmove.gov/get-active
or bam.gov/sub_physicalactivity
/index.html)
Frizzell also recommends limiting screen time (TV, video
games, computer) to two hours a day. "You'd be surprised how many kids get
six hours of TV every day," he said. "It's hard to be active and stay
in shape if you watch that much TV. The type of exercise each child needs is
very individualized. Not everyone has good eye-hand coordination or enjoys team
sports, but every child (with a parent's help and encouragement) can find an
activity that is fun.””
To read the rest of the article, including tips from
personal trainers, dance instructors, and parents, click here!
