Information on Physical Activity for Youth

Bright Futures is an organization set up by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau and managed by the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH). It is dedicated to helping infants, youth, families and communities stay healthy. Bright Futures in Practice: Physical Activity is resource for understanding guidelines on physical activity for infants and young people. It is designed for health professionals, families and communities. The resource includes information on how to encourage children to become more physically active; how to choose an appropriate physical activity program; how to recognize good coaching; and, how to find resources on physical activity. It is also has information on screening, counseling and assessment guidelines. In addition, the publication includes information relevant for children with physical challenges including:

• Asthma,
• Coordination disorders
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders,
• Obesity, and
• Other special health care issues.

Physical activity is particularly important for children with disabilities because it can improve their health, help them have more normal living experiences, and can reduce the side effects and seriousness of some conditions.

To view the publication, visit www.brightfutures.org/physicalactivity/index.html.

Bright Futures, National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health, Georgetown University, 2000 15th Street, North, Suite 701, Arlington, VA 22201-2617, 703.524.7802 (voice), 703.524.9335 (fax), www.brightfutures.org (website), brightfutures@ncemch.org (email).