Guest posting by Allyson Knapper
Technology has become such an integral part of our lives that it’s nearly impossible to go a few hours without using some type of machinery, whether it’s a cellphone, a computer, or a television. Having grown up with these technologies, children often know how to use them better than their parents. In fact, youth spend on average 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen (1). This number continues to increase annually, correlating with the rise of obesity in youth. Although it is recommended that kids exercise at least sixty minutes a day, 74% of children fail to meet the daily suggestion (2). Because technology is here to stay and will most likely become even more pervasive with time, it is important that we start teaching children how to develop healthy relationships with electronics. Even more so, the time they do spend with their devices can be used to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Below I describe two cool apps that target the younger generation.
PowerPod Wristbands
A 2013 public health report revealed that children living in Snohomish County, Washington had the highest rate of obesity in the state. In response, the county’s Health Leadership Coalition created a new program called Get Up & Go, which provided thousands of elementary aged children in the county with wristbands that used a 3-axis accelerometer to measure the intensity and duration of physical activity (3).
At the end of every school day students would be able to sync the wristbands with a computer in order to track their activity. What I like about this solution is that it involves the entire school community, as students are able to see their classmate’s progress online. This has led to a friendly competition amongst the students that in turn encouraged more physical activity. Furthermore, research has shown that there is a significant decrease in movement after sixth grade, so engaging the students while they are still young can lead to healthier lives later on (4).
Zombies, Run! 3
Zombies have taken over the planet, and it’s up to you to fight them off. Zombies, Run! 3 is an app available on iPhones and Androids that turns exercising into an interactive game. As you run, the story unfolds through a series of directions and voice recordings that are heard through your headphones between songs on your custom playlist. You are tasked with rebuilding the base that houses the lone survivors, and the farther you run, the more supplies you can collect. What’s great about this app is that it is targeted towards middle school students, and the 160 different levels and optional interval training encourage kids to keep moving. Additionally, players are able to track their running progress and can see how much they have improved from using the app.
For more information, visit the games website https://www.zombiesrungame.com/
References
1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-jim-taylor/kids-technology_b_1890772.html
2. http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20110414/most-young-kids-dont-get-enough-exercise
3.http://www.sqord.com/index.php#features
4. http://www.komonews.com/news/local/School-official-launch-new-program-to-fight-childhood-obesity-229407611.html?tab=video&c=y
Image Sources
1. http://snocohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Machias4.jpg
2.http://media.tumblr.com/34da1d628f8a8096d5296e55425f6667/tumblr_inline_n4135pcXyf1qz8b2h.png