Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Chapter 3 - Physical Activity for CSHCN
defined by its duration (amount of time), intensity (rate of energy expenditure), and
frequency (number of sessions per time period). As described in Bright Futures in
Practice: Physical Activity (4) there are several types of physical activity:
1. Aerobic: Light to vigorous intensity physical activity that requires more oxygen
than sedentary behavior and thus promotes cardiovascular fitness and other
health benefits (e.g. jumping rope, playing soccer or basketball)
2. Anaerobic: Intense physical activity that is short in duration and requires a
breakdown of energy sources in the absence of sufficient oxygen. Energy sources
are replenished as an individual recovers from the activity. Anaerobic activity
(e.g. sprinting during running or biking) requires maximal performance during a
brief period.
3. Lifestyle: Physical activity typically performed on a routine basis (e.g. walking,
climbing stairs, raking the yard) which is usually light to moderate in intensity.
4. Physical activity play: Play activity that requires substantial energy expenditure
(e.g. playing tag, jumping rope)
5. Sports: Physical activity that involves competition, scorekeeping, rules, and an
outcome that is not known in advance. Sports can be divided into categories
such as individual (e.g. gymnastics, swimming) dual (e.g. tennis) and team (e.g.
basketball)
Most of the above are weight-bearing activities, which contribute to the growth
of healthy bones in children and adolescents, and provide numerous other health
benefits. Many children and adolescents choose not to participate in competitive
team sports but can still gain health benefits by participating in individual activities
such as biking or yoga. One of the most important criteria for promoting physical
activity for children and adolescents is that it is enjoyable for them.
Two broader categories of physical activity for children and adolescents are lifestyle
and structured (4). Examples of lifestyle physical activities are walking, playing,
and doing chores. Structured physical activities consist of 1) physical education
(PE) programs at school and 2) extracurricular activities (e.g. baseball team), which
can occur in either in school or non-school settings. Structured physical activities
generally provide more intense physical activity than lifestyle activities, and are more
likely to help maintain weight and result in improved strength and cardiovascular
fitness.
38 Nutrition Interventions for Children With Special Health Care Needs