246 Vincent Street Leederville Western Australia 6007
PO Box 329, Leederville WA 6903
Telephone (08) 9492 9630 Facsimile (08) 9492 9711
patf@dsr.wa.gov.au
wa.gov.au
RADIO NEWS RELEASE
EMBARGOED 14 December 2009
Get moving this Christmas
The WA Physical Activity Taskforce is calling on parents to give children and
adolescents gifts that will encourage them to be physically active this Christmas.
Physical Activity Taskforce member and Heart Foundation Director Cardiovascular
Health Trevor Shilton says switching off TVs and computers will encourage less lazy
couch loafing this holiday season.
“You’ll be providing them with endless hours of fun, while encouraging them to stay
active, develop important coordination and movement skills and improve their
health,” said Mr Shilton.
“By rethinking your Christmas gift list and purchasing gifts that get them moving you
can encourage and support kids to be active every day.
“There are a huge range of gifts and toys that promote physical activity, with many
options that are inexpensive and make great stocking fillers.
The call follows data released this week by the Physical Activity Taskforce that
shows the majority of children are not active enough and watch more than the
recommended two hours of screen based recreation every day.
Mr Shilton says in particular parents of teenagers should be considering active gifts
with the research showing this group are the least active.
“Secondary school children, in particular girls, need to have presents that encourage
them to be active.
“Currently only 36 per cent of boys and 10 per cent of girls are meeting the physical
activity guidelines and need to be more active.
There are many healthy active Christmas gifts for children and adolescents. Here are
just a few ideas:
Adolescents
Active Clothes
cycle pants, sports outfits, running or walking shoes and socks, hats,
rashies/wetsuits
Gift vouchers
dance lessons, pool, mini-golf, go karting, rock climbing, gym membership
Sporting lessons
surfing, golf, tennis, swimming
Active Accessories
Bike, heart rate monitor, yoga/exercise mat, pedometer, fitball, waterbottle,
fishing gear
Children
Water gifts
boogie board, snorkel & fins, kick board and goggles, fishing rod, kayak, pool
games, beach toys
Fun with friends
Twister, cricket bat & ball, football, Frisbee, t-ball, vortex, table tennis table,
tennis racquet
Play on own
bike, bucket & spade, juggling balls, skipping rope, skittles, stilts, pogo stick,
boomerang, kite, roller blades, skateboard, basketball hoops, roller skates
Family fun
family pass to a pool or leisure centre, family pass to swimming lessons, ten
pin bowling
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Ends -
For more information contact:
Michelle Hogan, Physical Activity Taskforce on 0403 961 296 or 9492 9635
NEWS 
