My Gym: Exercise for Kids Is Important

Today's youth contains more obese and overweight children than ever before in the past. While parents are quick to blame busy lifestyles and school cafeteria food, doctors often link the extra weight to lack of exercise. Children are spending less time outdoors and more inside playing video games and browsing the Web.

The truth is a balance of exercise and diet is vital for a healthy child. Exercise is important to keep extra weight at bay. However, it's also vital for children to learn team building skills, help build strong bones, help build strong muscles and build a healthy heart.

Fun Exercise Tips:

1. Parents should participate! Instead of forcing a child to exercise alone, parents should do the activity with the child. Showing them exercise can be fun and not punishment is important for life-long skills to develop.

2. Make exercise fun by doing a different activity each day. Children love to do new things, so mix up your activities throughout the week. Hit the park one day and the ball court the next!

3. Play games! If your child thinks exercise is boring, consider playing outdoor games. Football, basketball or kickball can really be fun and give your child the exercise he or she needs.

4. Allow older children to listen to music while exercising. Music is a big part of the typical teenage life, so they will likely be more motivated with their iPod handy.

Overall, parents should work to make exercise something a child looks forward to. Children should understand the importance of being healthy so they can carry their learned habits on throughout their life.

Labels: activities, fitness, kids