What do five northern fur seals have to do with kids and exercise? A new exhibit at the New England Aquarium is designed to inspire the obese generation of kids to get moving. The “Move It!” program has seals stretching, jumping, and swimming, while panels around the aquarium show the moves and encourage children to try them. Some kids will even be allowed to exercise with the seals.
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While trying to find new and innovative ways to get kids exercising sounds great – I question how successful this will be? While I would expect that the program itself could easily be successful (i.e. attracting the right crowd to exercise with the seals, and getting people wanting to do this) – what I’m not so sure about – is the long term. Just because a kid has a change to exercise with a seal once or twice, will that stay with them? I don’t know. I’ve got to think though, that this isn’t enough time to make it into a habit for most.
Am I being overly negative here? I don’t know, maybe. I see that unless someone really wants to, keeping this going will be tough. With the seals, it may all be fun and cool Without them, in the comfort of home (and everything that’s always been there – video games, junk food, tv, sugar) – the way of the seal will be all too quickly forgotten…
Sure, they may move while they’re at the exhibit, then it’s off to the food court for a burger and fries, then some lethargic-inspired rest when they get home. This won’t work.
Oh, and I’ve never seen a skinny seal.
Well this is pretty strange! I did like seeing the sea lions all along the northern California coastline, and I did exercise a lot while there, so who knows?
Lance – You raise a good point. I think a lot of it has to do with the parents who bring the kids – they would definitely have to encourage them to keep exercising after they visit the seals, and not let it be a one-time thing.
Yum Yucky – Why so negative???
Dr. J – It’s definitely just a first step, but maybe for some kids – it’s the one they need. Am I too hopeful?