Skate to the Beat of a Healthy Heart

The National Roller Skating Association promotes fitness, exercise, and healthy hearts during National Heart Month.

Indianapolis, IN (PRWeb) February 1, 2007 -- February is National Heart Month, and like the American Heart Association (AHA), the Roller Skating Association International (RSA) is committed to helping Americans become more heart healthy by staying active during the cold winter months.

According to the AHA, more than 17 percent of all children in the US are overweight -- that's about 12 million children. An additional 12 million children are at risk of becoming overweight. While children are eating more and weighing more, they are exercising less. Also, during the winter months, physical activity is further restricted by cold weather, forcing kids to engage in more dormant activities such as watching television, playing video games or going to the movies. AHA statistics report that almost one in four children do not participate in any free-time physical activity, and a typical American youth spends four to five hours a day watching TV, using the computer or playing video games.

In a drastic effort to change these statistics, parents and families are encouraged to make significant lifestyle changes to promote a healthy lifestyle. It's not easy for kids to say no to fast food and other unhealthy snacks, nor is it easy to get them to participate in heart stimulating activities when they're accustomed to sitting in front of the television. Hence, when making lifestyle changes the results are better if everyone in the family participates.

RSA and its member skating centers located throughout the U.S. offer families an affordable solution to get moving and have fun. Roller skating is an excellent indoor activity that is equal to jogging in terms of calories burned and muscles used. In fact, just one hour of moderate roller skating burns 330 calories for a person weighing 143 pounds. Not only is roller skating safe and great exercise for all ages, it's also great fun for the entire family.

"The best part about skating is kids love rolling around to their favorite music for hours; parents don't even have to bribe them away from the television to get active," said Joe Champa, president of the Roller Skating Association International. "Skating centers throughout the country offer clean, fun and affordable family entertainment, while providing a great workout at the same time."

For more information and suggestions on how to become more active and promote a healthy heart, please contact the American Heart Association and Roller Skating Association International.

About Roller Skating Association International

Roller Skating Association International is a trade association representing skating center owners and operators; teachers, coaches and judges of roller skating; and manufacturers and suppliers of roller skating equipment and coaches of artistic skating, roller hockey, and speed skating. The association represents more than 1,000 skating centers throughout the world.

# # #