It is a well-known fact that there is a serious problem with child obesity today. With all the school cutbacks, physical education and sports programs being cut in the lower grades, it is ultimately up to the parents to motivate fitness in their children. This is not as daunting a challenge as it may seem. With a few adjustments in your family’s habits, your children will be motivated to maintain a good level of fitness, which oftentimes carries over into their adult life.
Limiting television or computer time to an hour a day is a great start to improving fitness. Along with that comes the need for providing opportunities for physical activity for your children. Make sure the activities you are planning are age appropriate. For pre-schoolers, it is best to stay away from team sports and stick to activities like tag, hopping, jumping, swinging, etc. Grade school aged kids can start participating in team sports, but make sure it is a sport they are interested in and enjoy playing. For teens, there is usually a wide variety of school-sponsored sports to choose from, and you must be prepared to commit to getting them to practices and games.
It is also a great idea to set aside a few hours at least one day a week as an “activity day” and do things the whole family enjoys doing. Maybe it could be riding bikes, hiking, swimming, going to the park, or shooting hoops in the driveway; there is an activity for everyone, however, finding it may take some doing. As with most things in life, setting a good example influences a child more than just making them do sour children’s fitness regime; it will benefit both you and your children.