Be Outside, Idaho
Be Outside is a collaborative effort among Idaho organizations, whose mission, "connecting children with nature in Idaho, from backyards to mountaintops" is helping children and families across Idaho become more engaged with nature.
The prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. This generation of American children may be the first to have lower life expectancy then their parents and it is largely because of a sedentary lifestyle. Be Outside encourages children and families to get outside and be active. As a coalition of diverse agencies, organizations and private citizens, Be Outside is united in the common cause of empowering all Idahoans to lead healthy lives by developing a sense of place in Idaho's outdoors.
As a physician, patients and their families seek your guidance in establishing habits that can improve children's health. During office visits you have the ability to promote opportunities for families and children to improve their health by going outside and getting active. You might share with families some of the things you yourself enjoy doing when you're outside and encourage families to take advantage of local recreation opportunities. Be Outside has also developed materials such as brochures, posters, stickers, bookmarks and "101 Things To Do Outside" fliers that you can post throughout your office or distribute directly to patients. You could even issue them a "prescription" to get outside and increase physical activity by giving them Be Outside Materials. If you are interested in learning more about the Be Outside network visit our website at http://www.visitidaho.org/children-in-nature/. Or if you would like to request materials for your office please email beoutsideidaho@gmail.com.
