Exercise for Kids: 5 Tips for Parents

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These are good tips but I am still wary of the Wii games for exercise. It might be a good option for some but I personally would only use it in the winter months when our kids cannot play outside as much. I want them to be out in nature, riding bikes, running through the grass and all the things that kids used to love but hardly do anymore. We are a "green" family and we eat lots of whole foods, drink only water and take our chewable probiotics and vitamins every day! We want to make sure that we are taking care of our bodies as best we can and though we are certainly not perfect we just give it our best and hope that our small changes will add up to a long and healthy life.

smilinggreenmom of IN 8:06AM June 21, 2010

I had 3 years of PE in high school and during that time, if I was looking for even 10 minutes of light exercise, I did not get it from PE. Walk in, change clothes, sit against a wall talking to friends, change back into regular clothes, leave, repeat. I guess maybe if I attached some weights to the clothes I wore it may have been more effective.

Dotcom of AL 2:36PM June 09, 2010

It's too bad that the fear of lawsuits have shifted school districts away from PE. Biggest mistake in recent educational hx.

Chris of MO 5:46PM June 04, 2010

There are multiple pieces of the obesity issue: Good nutrition at home and in the schools, of course, and physical activity at every opportunity. Yes parents should set the example, and the schools MUST provide quality, age appropriate physical education for every student.
What we tend to overlook is the value of physical exercise on our emotional state, how important exercise is in reducing stress which in turn has a definitive effect on obesity. As a long time physical education teacher (36 years/now retired) I have worked with some terrific physical educators and have seen how they have changed the lives of many young students. All states should increase their physical education requirement and eliminate all waivers.
Safer streets, more bike paths, more park space with space for free and creative/unstructured play for kids. Sometimes adults build too many rules into kids play. Give them the opportunity to create on their own and to build their own social relationships.

Joe Herzog of CA 8:06PM June 03, 2010

I think this article is excellent - and my favorite point is that you must practice what you preach. I think being a good healthy lifestyle role model to our kids is so so important. As a new mom one way I get fit while spending time with my baby is daily stroller walks - especially this time of year as it's finally summer and the sun it out. A friend of mine recently introduced me to an awesome stroller accessory to boost up my walking routine called Love Handles - it's these handles that turn your baby stroller into an elliptical trainer - LOVE - as you get a full body workout - but again - still spending time with your baby - win-win!

Betsy Ringham of MN 2:43PM June 03, 2010

As a child obesity doctor, I see overweight kids all day long. I agree that exercise is important- but so is proper nutrition. Parents need to watch not only WHAT they feed their kids, but also HOW MUCH! Even healthy foods have calories and if your kids eat too much of them, they will gain weight. Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right is a great book for parents to learn how to teach their children about proper nutrition. Foods are divided into Green Light (Go!), Yellow Light (Slow!) and Red Light (Uh-Oh!) categories. Using colors instead of calories makes healthy nutrition easy and fun! So please use these suggestions for exercise but don't forget about teaching your kids how to eat well from a young age!
Joanna Dolgoff, MD
www.DrDolgoff.com

Joanna Dolgoff MD of NY 8:14AM June 03, 2010

it is true that there child hood obesity is a major issue what i think is that there should be more por they can make GYM for kids

Brenda Mendoza of CA 9:31PM June 02, 2010

This article has some great points. It saddens me to see so many overweight children. They are unfairly being set up for a lifetime of struggle with their weight.
We need to encourage them and set a good example for staying healthy. My child is only 2 1/2 but from almost day one, I took her for long walks in the park. When she started walking, I made her walk. I rarely used a stroller.
And we visited parks and outdoor play areas almost daily. And it's already paying off. She LOVES being outdoors, loves nature, and prefers to be outside playing, than sitting and watching television. The point is: you can never start too early. Oh, and I've stayed in shape all this time, too, by exercising with her.

Ana of TX 9:13PM June 02, 2010