Walk to School
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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Some kids are walking to school already this year, and health experts say more should. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arthur Wendel says walking one mile to and from school gives kids much of the minimum physical activity they need -- and they can talk with their friends.
But he says walking seems to have hit some rough road:
``In 1969, about 50 percent of kids walked or biked to school. But now that number has fallen to less than 15 percent of kids walking or biking to school.'' (8 seconds)
Wendel says this is a good time to start - it being International Walk to School Month. He says parents can help - and get exercise also by walking with kids, starting a walking school bus program, and working with local Safe Routes to School programs.
Learn more at hhs.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.