Modern life has many advantages and disadvantages that create inactive environments for kids. Computers, TV's, music and videos all provide too much sedentary and snacking time. Driving rather than walking is standard and high technology reduces our need to be physically active. Today, kids are twice as likely to be obese than they were 10 years ago. Along with obesity are health concerns such as heart disease and diabetes.

Many school districts have thrown out or severely limited their physical education programs. This means it's up to the parents at home to get their kids on their feet and more active. Here's a few ideas parents can implement:

1)PROVIDE ITEMS WHICH ENCOURAGE MOVEMENT. Provide things in the house and outside that could be used for activity. Ideas might be a basketball goal, badmitton set, tennis set, pogo stick, kids exercise videos, and some regular exercise equipment like a step or light weights. Younger children will usually remain active with toys.

2)PLAY WITY THEM. Shoot baskets with them or play a little badmitton. Teach them some regular fitness skills. This is part of being a good fitness role model.

3) HAVE FAMILY FITNESS TIME. Three times a week choose an activity everyone can participate in such as taking a walk and do it together as a family.

4)FIND OUT WHAT ACTIVITY YOUR KIDS LIKE. It's easy to gravitate toward fitness trends you like. Remember you are going to have to motivate your kids The number one reason both kids and adults drop out of fitness programs is they don't like the activity. Encourage your kids to choose a wide variety of activities.

5) AVOID INACTIVITY. Estimates show kids watch more than 24 hours of TV per week. This amount of TV/video viewing is unhealthy for both kid's bodies and brains. Set time limits on these sedentary activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only 2 hours of TV per day.

Supporting physical activity for our kids is critical due to the alarming rise in childhood obesity and the associated health risks. Experts recommend the our youths be active 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. As parents, you have the fundamental responsibility to get your kids active and you can do this by supporting home activities, scheduling familing activities, buying home exercise equipment and limiting time on TV's and computers. There's also playing games with the neighborhood kids, walking the pets and joining your local fitness center. Parents, you really can make a difference in the physical fitness of your child.

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