Prevent Diabetes in Children with Regular Physical Activity

Bumisuka.com – Prevent Diabetes in Children with Regular Physical Activity. An active and healthy lifestyle is a long-term investment for a better future. In commemoration of World Diabetes Day, Sun Life Indonesia launched the Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) program through Wahana Visi Indonesia.

BOKS was first launched in the United States in 2009 as a free physical activity program for children of all ages and abilities.

This program is an effort to reduce the number of diabetes cases in Indonesia, especially in children. The launch event which was held also distributed the Active Healthy Kids Indonesia Report Card which was presented by Dr. Agus Mahendra, M.A, Country Leader of Active Healthy Kids Indonesia.

1. The number of children’s physical activity in Indonesia is still low

Active Healthy Kids Indonesia Report Card is a report that provides assessments and recommendations for increasing physical activity in children. From the report, the pattern of children’s physical activity in Indonesia requires improvement.

The report uses several indicators, such as Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, and School. From each of these indicators, Indonesia gets an “F” score, which is the lowest score in the report.

2. Causes of low physical activity in Indonesian children

Agus explained that one of the main reasons for the low number of physical activity in Indonesia is the lack of awareness about the importance of physical health. This includes various layers of society, such as parents, teachers, and oneself.

The physical health program, which is only implemented once a week in Indonesian schools, is also the cause of children’s lack of physical activity.

In addition, there are still many physical health programs in Indonesia that are not suitable for children, so that the intensity of children’s physical activity is not optimal.

On the other hand, the pandemic has also made children less mobile and not doing outdoor activities.

3. The relationship between physical activity and blood sugar levels

Physical activity and blood sugar levels have a close relationship. According to Agus, if you do less physical activity, it will burden the insulin hormone in controlling blood sugar levels in the body. In the end, this will interfere with the production of the hormone insulin and cause diabetes.

This is why physical activity is so important to prevent diabetes. By teaching an active and healthy lifestyle from an early age, children will have better growth and body metabolism.

Agus also explained that exercise will release endorphins which will make you feel happy.

4. It is recommended to do 60 minutes of physical activity a day

The recommended physical activity for children is 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise in one day. This 60 minute duration can be divided into two or three times a day.

Agus said that physical activity can be in various forms. Parents can invite their children to play physical games, exercise together, or do gymnastics.

5. The BOKS program is expected to increase the activities of Indonesian children

The presence of the BOKS program is expected to address the indicators that must be improved in the Active Healthy Kids Indonesia Report Card. BOKS is expected to be a solution through the development of lesson plans and physical activity resources for teachers and volunteers.

BOKS is targeted to be able to facilitate daily physical activity in the school environment and children’s groups, for around 10,000 new children participants each year. Regular physical activity is a significant protective factor for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes.

Physical activity is very important for health, especially during childhood growth. Regular physical activity can help prevent type 2 diabetes and improve your child’s metabolism.