Walking our way to longer, healthier lives

It’s the simple things that really matter.  Last week, a group of more than 100 Milton Elementary School students spent an hour or more walking through their riverfront town.  
Physical education teacher Carlyn Bailey led the walk and had speakers talking to the children about the importance of safety when it comes to walking and the benefits of being outdoors and getting simple exercise.

These types of activities are immensely important at this time in our history.  We’re so infatuated with our computers and mobile devices that we’ve forgotten what our legs are for.  Studies show that children spend many times more hours in front of computer and television screens than they do outdoors in simple activities like walking and playing.  
The result is that adults and children in our county, state and nation are more sedentary than ever before and weight-related problems are on the rise, which causes a variety of health issues.

Latest statistics show that the obesity epidemic in Delaware continues to grow.
At Trap Pond State Park this week, a group of people from around the state who are interested in improving the health of children and adults focused on ways to get people outdoors and active and enjoying nature.  Initiatives that come out of that gathering will unfold over the next few years.

They will include more walking and bicycling trails to connect our communities and our parks and continued emphasis on the benefits of being outdoors so young people will make such activity a normal part of their lifestyle.

To help fight weight problems, some doctors working with these initiatives have even started prescribing trips to state parks for overweight children as part of their treatment.

Experts tell us we need to make access to trails and parks easier and safer.  When we do that, adults and children will start spending more time outdoors and will become more active.
They will live longer and healthier lives as a result and enjoy such simple pleasures as taking walks with their friends and schoolmates.