LETTER: Hunting and fishing are not the answer to our children’s health

To the editor:

As a licensed clinical health psychologist with dozens of empirical articles in the field, I became alarmed when I read the article by Assemblyman William Barclay about outdoor recreation. While he is touching on a very important issue, low levels of physical activity and high rates of obesity in our youth, he misses the mark in terms of solutions. Yes, we absolutely must look for opportunities in schools to increase physical activity and there are many benefits to being outdoors and in nature.

However, it was concerning to read that this assemblyman is trying to tie hunting, fishing and trapping to reducing obesity. Yes, these types of activities will get a person outside and perhaps moving; however to reap actual health benefits from a physical activity they must be engaged in at a moderate to vigorous level. In fact, the CDC recommends our children engage in at least 60 minutes of daily moderate intensity physical activity. Do hunting, fishing, and trapping meet these criteria?

There are many other outdoor activities that could be engaged in that would benefit health and teach students to appreciate nature such as hiking and biking. We also need to look at what is already being done in schools and turn back to the basics: play. Given that the majority of the readers of the Messenger had at least double if not triple the amount of recess time when they were in elementary school, should we not be looking at the Baldwinsville schools to take bold steps to increase recess time and unstructured playtime in our youth?

There are numerous studies supporting the physical and mental health benefits to regular engagement in physical activity in our children. If that data doesn’t compel you, physical activity also helps our children learn by making them more attentive and productive in the classroom. If we just let our children be children, we will see the benefits we hope for.

The schools need to look at the scientific evidence and work on plans to increase our children’s’ physical activity through recess and PE. Arming our youth with guns and fishing poles is not the answer.