CHICAGO, IL - Despite growing rates of childhood obesity and chronic illness among the nation's kids, only 15 percent of American parents rank overall physical health as the top concern for their children, according to national survey findings released today by YMCA of the USA (Y-USA). The YMCA's Family Health Snapshot also found that 74 percent of children ages 5 to 10 do not get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

"The Y knows parents struggle to find the time and resources to incorporate physical activity and healthier habits into their kids' daily routine," says Lynne Vaughan, senior vice president and chief innovation officer at Y-USA. "But getting active doesn't have to require a lot of time and resources."

According to the survey of more than 1,600 parents with children between the ages of 5 and 10, the economy has created financial challenges and time constraints that make it difficult for many families to carve out time for physical activity and to provide a healthy home environment. In fact, 52 percent of parents surveyed said they'd been forced to cut back to some degree on their children's after school activities – key ways for children to get active playtime – in an effort to save money.

The YMCA's Family Health Snapshot also found:
* 74 percent of parents opt to spend family time with their kids sitting in front of the TV.

* 42 percent of parents say growing technological distractions – social networks, computer games and cell phones – are getting in the way of active play, although 53 percent admit they spend leisure time with their children on the computer and playing video games.

* 58 percent of children ages 5 to 10 spend less than four days a week ...