Did You Know? A Scout is Physically Fit!
July 6, 2020
Scouting helps combat obesity among young people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18% of children and teens in the United States are overweight or obese, which has serious health risks, including psychological risks. Scouting’s programs provide activities and training to help young people achieve and maintain fitness:
- Encourage healthy food choices such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk and dairy products, and involve the Scouts in these choices.
- Manage portion sizes
- When traveling with Scouts, stop at restaurants that offer healthy meal options.
- Encourage Scouts to limit screen time (including TVs, computers, and electronic games) to no more than two hours per day and emphasize the importance of getting enough sleep.
- Stress the importance of daily physical activity (60 minutes per day).
- Challenge Scouting units to earn the SCOUTStrong Healthy Unit Award.
Scouting is about more than camping and the outdoors. It encourages physical fitness and good health……for life!
Fit.Fuel.Fun. Scout Strong!
Check out these awesome links and awards:
- Learn about the BSA's health and wellness initiative, ScoutStrong here
- Learn more about the ScoutStrong initiative from Scouting magazine
- Learn about the Congressional Award, a challenging and impressive recognition that can be earned by all Scouts
- Health and Wellness ideas for your den meetings (Cub Scouts)
