By the
time they
reach high
school, 64%
of children
are no
longer
physically
active. Why?
If your
kids fall
within this
group, you
don’t have
to sadly
shake your
head. You
can
set a
good
example, be
a role model
and do the
right things
so your kids
will, too.
Get off
the couch
and get on a
bike with
your kids.
Introduce
them to
exercise
that’s fun.
Eat healthy.
Instead of
high-calorie
foods and
snacks, turn
to fruits
and other
healthy
foods. And
once you get
kids moving
in the
direction of
fitness,
chances are
they’ll keep
going for
the rest of
their lives.
Start
‘em Young
Becoming
a healthy
adult starts
with being a
healthy
child. Many
chronic
diseases of
adulthood
have their
beginnings
in
childhood.
For example,
it is
important
for kids to
build strong
bones, so
that by the
time they’re
in their
20s, their
peak bone
density will
be higher
and their
risk of
osteoporosis
will be
decreased.
There are
also
childhood
diseases
that can
easily be
prevented by
proper diet
and physical
activity.
Children can
suffer from
diabetes,
obesity,
high
cholesterol
and high
blood
pressure—these
aren’t just
adult
ailments.
An hour
of physical
activity per
day is
recommended
for
children. It
is also
recommended
that screen
time (TV and
computer
time) be
limited to
two hours
per day.
Children who
are fit can
avoid the
above health
problems.
They also do
better in
physical-performance
tests. They
have a
stronger
self-image,
more
self-confidence,
less anxiety
and stress
and they
demonstrate
greater
improvement
in skill-
and
health-related
fitness.
When you
consider the
facts, it
makes good
sense to
encourage
physical
activity
when your
children are
young.
Parents,
teachers and
fitness
professionals
all have a
role to
play. Each
can help
kids think
positively
about
exercise and
motivate
them to make
regular
physical
activity a
lifetime
pursuit.
Mom and
Dad Are the
Best
Motivators
As a
parent, it’s
up to you to
play the
biggest
part—bigger
than a
teacher,
more
important
than a
fitness
professional.
Your
children
look to you
for examples
on how to
talk, dress,
act and lead
a physically
active—or
inactive—life.
Set a
good example
for your
kids.
Instead of
spending the
evening in
front of the
television,
find some
activity
that will
keep you
moving. In
warm
weather,
bike
outdoors. If
it’s too
cold, get a
stationary
bike, a
treadmill or
a
trampoline.
And it’s
never too
late or too
early to
help your
kids build
strength and
endurance.
Push-ups and
pull-ups are
an excellent
way to build
upper-body
strength.
Jungle gyms
and monkey
bars are
great for
kids because
they utilize
their own
body weight.
And they’re
loads of
fun.
Make sure
your kids
have the
proper
protective
equipment,
such as
helmets and
knee, elbow
and wrist
pads. Also
make sure
the athletic
equipment
they’re
using is the
proper size
for them.
You wouldn’t
want to
swing a bat
as tall as
you, so buy
equipment to
fit each
child.
Keep in
mind that
kids are not
always
naturally
limber and
that their
muscles may
be tight and
vulnerable
to injury
during the
growth
spurts that
occur during
the
elementary
years. Be
sure to
include
stretching
as a part of
your fitness
activities.
Make sure
that you
concentrate
on the
positive
aspects of
exercise.
It’s a
chance for a
family to be
together, to
share good
times and
have fun.
Avoid
competition,
discipline
and
embarrassment—things
that can
turn good
times into
moments of
dread.
Praise your
children for
trying.
Encourage
their
interest in
other sports
and other
activities,
which will
help them
take
ownership of
their
fitness.
It’s
Really up to
You
You can’t
tell kids
that being
active is
fun. You
have to show
them. So
take your
kids hiking,
biking,
dancing,
sledding,
swimming and
in-line
skating.
Skip rope or
shoot
baskets with
them.
Plan
outings and
activities
that involve
walking,
like a trip
to the zoo
or the park,
a nature
trail hike
or even a
walk through
the mall.
Remember: If
you want
your kids to
be healthy,
happy teens
and adults,
it’s up to
you to do
something
about it.
