The obesity epidemic can probably be blamed, in part, on excessive screen time, but technology is helping to solve the problem with tools to get you moving.
Pokemon Go!
To catch them all in this GPS-based augmented reality game, players – known as “trainers” – need to walk around, catch different Pokemon at specific locations called Pokestops, and collect Pokeballs and Poke eggs. It requires a lot of walking; to hatch one egg, a trainer must walk up to six miles. No wonder, then, that this international craze has been called a universal health service. Not only does the treasure hunt give kids a reason to go out in the fresh air and move – it’s an activity for the whole family to do together. Daily dog walks by teens have tripled; excursions to fountains are an excuse to nab Dratini.
Kurbo
Learning to understand food and eating better is the goal of this app; designed for kids and teens, it uses a traffic light system instead of making you track every calorie you eat. Red Light foods have little nutritional value and are high in calories, sugar and fat. (“Stop and think before you eat them!”) Yellow Light foods have important nutrients and are moderately high in calories, fat and sugar, so be aware of portion sizes. Green means GO!, so Green Light foods such as fruits and vegetables can be consumed as often as you’d like. Kurbo allows kids to assess their eating in a way that emphasizes healthy choices over weight and body image. They can also chat with other users, take part in weekly games and track their progress. Reviewers say that using the app improved their self-confidence and self-esteem. Who doesn’t want that for their kids?
Sworkit Kids
Every moment is an opportunity to get fit with this app. Test your kids’ tightrope skills and challenge them to do squats or crab crawls. Sworkit Kids not only provides challenges, but includes instructions for workouts and stretches to do at home and combines interval training with randomized exercises so users don’t get bored. Bonus: Parents can do the workouts with their kids.
Super Stretch Yoga HD
This app teaches kids yoga moves by telling animal stories through videos. You can tap on an animal, learn what it does and watch videos of children doing each pose. The app helps kids find balance and strength by practicing poses and breathing. It features 12 yoga poses, flashcards and breathing breaks that help calm the nervous system by teaching kids how to relax and be present.
NFL Play 60
Jumping, running, turning … Play 60 makes football exercises into a virtual game in which you collect coins and earn power-ups. Created by the National Football League and the American Heart Association, Play 60 lets you personalize your character, who will do what you do while you’re holding your phone. Kids can track their running yards, compare stats with NFL players and play with friends.
