As a nation, we know that our own choices and behaviors - including physical inactivity - have contributed to rising rates of chronic disease and obesity. It seems easy enough to encourage individuals and families to engage in more physical activity. But the reality is that in many communities across the nation, making healthy choices such as getting active is not only difficult; sometimes it's not even option.

"It's not that hard," we might say. "Just go out and take a walk around your neighborhood." But what if that neighborhood doesn't have sidewalks, and is cut off from other parts of the community? What if residents in that neighborhood feel unsafe when walking around because of poor lighting or other issues? What if children can't play because of lack of space?

Confronting our nation's health crisis requires that we support individuals and communtiies in making better choices, and that we work together to address the underlying conditions and other factors - stress, poverty, social isolation, and neighborhood safety - that contribute to declining health and well-being. This is especially important for those living in communities with limited access to the tools and resources needed to attain and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

We need to make the healthy choice the easy choice by ensuring that our communities have adequate opportunities for children, families and adults to engage in healthy behaviors in all of the places where they live, work, learn, and play.

The Y, along with many other national and local organizations, is part of a growing "healthier communities" movement around the nation, bringing together community leaders and advocates to transform environments and to ensure that healthy opportunities are available to all - no matter where they live.

These collaborative efforts are making getting fit by active transportation easier by creating streets that are safe for all users whether they walk, bike or drive. They are making it easier for kids to walk to school by providing walking school buses and designated walk-to-school days. They are building or repairing parks or playgrounds, thereby providing opportunities for kids and families to play together. They are connecting communtiies by building walking and bike paths. They are ensuring that town and city plans address community design to ensure they support physical activity - and so much more.

A healthier community is a stronger community, leading not only to improved chronic disease and obesity rates, but often an improved economy. Imagine a neighborhood where businesses that struggled suddenly thrive after new street lighting makes it possible to shop at night. Imagine children playing in a new park. Imagine a new bustling town businesses district that is connected to residential neighborhoods through pedestrian and bike trails.

The possibilities are limitless, but it will take all parts of a community working together to achieve the goal of healthy communities where opportunities for physical activity benefit everyone.

What kind of barriers to physical activity might communities face? What are some things that communities can do together to overcome those barriers? Who might need to work together to help support physical activity in these communities? What ares ome of the benefits, outside of improved physical health, that healthier communities can lead to?

Summertime brings people outside to enjoy the sunshine and blue skies. Unfortunately, just because people are outdoors more does not mean that they are being active. Many people get in their car, drive to a pool or beach, set out their towel and lie or sit for hours - only to get back in their car, drive home and relax. This leads to a day full of inactivity!

For some people, it is second nature to be active all year round. Others may need a push. How can you help your community participate in healthier activities? Here are some ideas...

Participate in fit activities in your community

Some people just need a nudge to be more active. Ask your friends, neighbors, or co-workers to join you for a jog or walk. Be an active role model for your peers. Leading by example can be the best remedy for inactivity.

Invite your family and friends to the local park for a day of fun in the sun playing games and activities that get the heart racing. Think tag, capture the flag, volleyball, or even water balloon tosses. Parks departments also have great resources for getting involved in intramural sports, health fairs, charity walks or runs, and pet-friendly activities.

Join and help promote local fitness groups. Many communities already have fitness-themed groups or clubs, which entail biking, fun runners, ultimate Frisbee, yoga in the park, etc. If they don't have a group that suits your interests, create one!

Getting kids active and fit

Children are key to the success of our communities. Educating and teaching kids at an early age about the importance of health and fitness is a great investment in their continued health. The National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils is doing just this by installing brand new fitness centers in elementary and middle schools across the country.

This year, the following schools have already been selected for the fitness center award:

• Capital City Public Charter School - Washington, DC
• South Allegheny Middle School - Pittsburgh, PA
• Troy Intermediate School - Troy, PA
• Owatin Creek Elementary School - Reading, PA
• Roberto Clemente Promise Academy - Philadelphia, PA
  

  

The National Foundation expects to gain five more fitness centers by the end of the year.

Another recent example of a community health-and-fitness activity brought NBA/WNBA FIT to YMCA in San Francisco during ACSM's Annual Meeting. NBA/WNBA FIT Lead Clinician Frank Lopez got children up and moving via fun basketball fitness stations. The children then learned from Felicia Stoler, D.C.N., M.S., R.D., FACSM about proper nutrition.

What fitness activities does your community offer? What can you do to improve access to healthy activities for everyone?

Sports participation in the United States has reached record levels, and high school-level sports participation continues to rise. In fact, the National Federation of State High School Associations estimates that more than 7.6 million high school students (over 55% of all students) played sports during the 2010-2011 academic year.

As orthopaedic surgeons, we are all too familiar with injuries that can occur in sports. But the benefits far outweight the potential for injury. Since we are wrapping up National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine would like to focus on the many positive benefits of sports - and encourage Americans to participate.

The physical benefits of competitive sports are the most obvious. Much attention has been given to the role of sports and exercise in decreasing the rates of obesity in our nation's youth. While lower body mass among athletes is certainly a desirable marker, it is not the only purported advantage of the regular exercise that comes with sports participation. Athletes experience lower rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as improved cardiovascular and pulmonary function.

However, the benefits of sports are not simply limited to physical health. Here are just a few reasons to consider playing sports or encouraging your children to play sports.

Social Benefits

A study published in Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine reported that out of 14,000 high school atheletes, the ones who regularly played sports were less likely to use drugs. Likewise, a survey performed by the National Household Survey of Drug Abuse showed that students who played sports were less likely to have smoked cigarettes or used drugs and were more likely to disapprove of others using them. Also, the Women's Sports Foundation has stated that female high school athletes are 80% less likely to become pregnant than non-athletes. 

Academic Benefits

Studies perfomed among students in multiple states - including Wyoming, Iowa, and Colorado - have shown that playing sports can actually increase success in the classroom. Various data demonstrate that athletes have higher grade point averages, higher standardized test scores, better attendance, lower dropout rates, and a better chance of going to college.

Career Benefits

A survey of individuals at the level of executive Vice President of 75 Fortune 500 companies showed that 95% of them played sports in high school. While it might be hard to argue that sports participation could guarantee higher incomes, promotions, and better jobs, the leadership skills and development of teamwork, hard work, and determination might help prepare students to be leaders at work and in their communities later in life.

While it is important for adults to be aware of the risks of injuries in various sports, both for themselves and for their kids, it is important to remember that there are many great reasons to play them as well! How are you encouraging your family and friends to get involved in sports?