Scout out Scout

Physical activity is important — and attainable — at any age or stage in your life. Getting the recommended physical activity as outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), plays a vital role in your overall health and well-being. It not only can improve your mood but can help reduce your risk of chronic disease as well. However, 1 in 4 American adults and 1 in 5 children (6-17) aren't meeting CDC recommendations.

Not sure where to start?  Scout is here to help!

Your mission: Find Scout!

Get ready for a summer with Scout! Through our Scout out Scout initiative, the Foxborough Health Department is challenging our community to get outside this summer, stay physically active, and explore fun ways to move more!

HOW to play:

1. GET YOUR BINGO SHEET:: Stop by the Health Department at Town Hall or the Boyden Library to pick up a copy, or download the sheet to print it out at home. 

2. SCOUT OUT SCOUT: Each week between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Scout will be somewhere in Foxborough, staying active and sharing some health and safety tips along the way! Find him, snap a pic, post it on Facebook or Instagram with #ScoutOutScout, and tag the Town!

3. PICK A PRIZE:Once you get a bingo, stop by the Health Department at Town Hall to receive a fun prize (one per child please and while supplies last).

Click through the tabs below to find where Scout will be and where he'll share some of his favorite family-friendly activities you can do to keep your body moving!  So, join the fun, scout out Scout, and add a little extra movement to your daily life. 

We also want you to be safe! If you have any questions or concerns around physical activity and you or a family member's health, please consult with your healthcare provider before getting started.

Physical Activity Basics

So, what are CDC’s recommended activity guidelines?

Children 3 to 5 should be active throughout the day through daily play activities, however, children ages 6-17 need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day!  It’s important to note that physical activity for children at this age should include a mix of aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening.  Dive a little deeper into physical activity for children and its health benefits on the CDC’s website.

Parents, need guidance on how to fit 60 minutes of activity within the day?  Check out U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Move Your Way interactive tool for kids.  You may be surprised to learn how easy reaching 60 minutes can be!

Adults should follow a slightly different set of physical activity guidelines than children, which allows for flexibility in the busy lives many adults often lead.  CDC recommendations for adults include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity (or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity) physical activity a week, as well as 2 days of muscle-strengthening activities each week.  Not sure where to start?  Start slow, try a 10-minute walk around the block each morning after you put the kids on the bus or take a family walk after dinner.  Walking the dog counts too!  Every little bit of movement each day adds up.  Find out more examples of what counts for adult physical activity and the health benefits on the CDC’s website.  The Move Your Way campaign interactive physical activity planner is also an excellent resource that takes the guess work out on how you can reach your 150 minutes a week.

We also encourage you to explore CDC’s recommendations for older adults, those pregnant or in postpartum, and those with chronic conditions and disabilities.    

Moderate versus Vigorous Intensity:

How can you determine if an aerobic activity is moderate or vigorous in nature?  Try the “talk test”

During a moderate-intensity aerobic activity, you should be able to talk, but shouldn’t be able to sing.

During a vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, you should find it difficult to carry on a conversation.