Fitness comes natural to a young child.  You know that most are naturally physically active and love to move around.  Watch children as they play on the playground, and you will see the journey of healthful living beginning. 

Due to Americans busy lifestyles, the challenge often begins as they get older.  Busy working families, increased school demands, other social activities, and simply feeling that there is not enough time for exercise are the reasons for the challenge.
And even if kids have the time and the inclination to be active, parents may not feel comfortable letting them freely roam the neighborhood as kids once did. Although parents may feel opportunities are limited, they can instill a love for fitness and help their families establish an everyday fitness routine.   The difference in being active verses being non active can greatly affect a child’s future health.  In addition to the possibility of being obese, there are many other potential problems that they may face such as: 

 

Physical Health	Social Health	Emotional  Health
Type 2 diabetes High Blood Pressure Asthma Gallstones	Teasing & bullying Negative stereotyping Discrimination Stigma	Poor body image Depression Low  Self-esteem

Benefits of Being Active

When kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do. Why? Because regular exercise provides these benefits:

• strong muscles and bones
• weight control
• decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• better sleep
• a better outlook on life

Not only that. Healthy, physically active students are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. And physical competence builds self-esteem at every age.
  

Motivation is Key

So there's a lot to gain through regular physical activity, but how do you encourage kids to do it? The three keys are:

1. Choosing the right activities for a child's age: If you don't, the child may be bored or frustrated.
2. Giving a child plenty of opportunity to be active: Kids need parents to make activity easy by providing equipment and taking them to playgrounds and other active spots.
3. Keeping the focus on fun: Kids won't do something they don't enjoy.

When kids enjoy an activity, they want to do more of it. Practicing a skill — whether it's swimming or riding a tricycle — improves a child's abilities. The child feels accomplished, especially when the effort is praised. These good feelings often make the child want to continue the activity and even try others.

What Activity Is Best?

The best way for kids to get physical activity is by incorporating regular exercise into their daily routine. Toddlers to teens need 30 to 60 minutes on most (preferably all) days. This can include free play at home, active time at school, and participation in classes or organized sports.

Here's some age-based advice:

Preschoolers: Preschooler need play and exercise that helps them continue to develop important motor skills — kicking or throwing a ball, playing tag or follow the leader, hopping on one foot, riding a bike, freeze dancing, or running obstacle courses.
Although some sports leagues may be open to children as young as 4, organized and team sports are not recommended until a child is a little older. Preschoolers can't understand complex rules and often lack the attention span, skills, and coordination needed to play sports. Instead of learning to play a sport, preschoolers should work on fundamental skills. The Healthy Kids & Teens Toddler DVD is designed to incorporate exercises fit just for toddlers/preschoolers.

School-age: With school-age kids spending more time on sedentary pursuits like watching TV and playing computer games, the challenge for parents is to help them find physical activities they enjoy and feel successful doing. Activities can range from traditional sports like baseball and basketball to scouting, camping, hiking, at home DVD and other outdoor pursuits.
In the early school-age years, while kids are learning basic skills and simple rules, there may be only a few athletic standouts. As kids get older, differences in ability and personality become more apparent. Commitment and interest level often go along with ability, which is why it's important to find an activity that's right for your child. Schedules start getting busy during these years, but don't forget to set aside some time for free play.

Teenagers: Teens have a wide array of choices when it comes to being active — from school sports to after-school interests, such as yoga or skateboarding. With teenagers, it's important to remember that physical activity must be planned and often has to be sandwiched between various responsibilities and commitments.  Dividing up activity is a viable option for this group. Creating a buddy system for exercise may help teens stay the course.
Providing transportation and the necessary equipment and gear may make it easy for your teen to exercise.  And don't overlook workout clothes. In some cases, the right clothes and shoes might help a shy teen feel comfortable biking or going to the gym.

What’s Your Fitness Personality?

In addition to your child's age, it's important for parents to understand a child's fitness personality. Personality traits, genetics, and athletic ability combine to influence a child's attitude toward participation in sports and other physical activities, particularly as they get older. Identify your child’s personality below.

The nonathlete: This child may lack athletic ability, interest in physical activity, or both.
The casual athlete: This child is interested in being active but isn't a star player and is at risk of getting discouraged in a competitive athletic environment.
The athlete: This child has athletic ability, is committed to a sport or activity, and likely to ramp up practice time and intensity of competition.

If you understand the concepts of temperament and fitness types, you'll be better able to help your child find the right activities and get enough exercise — and find enjoyment in physical activity. Some children will want to pursue excellence in a sport, while others may be perfectly happy and fit just being casual participants.
The athlete, for instance, will want to be on the basketball team, while the casual athlete may just enjoy shooting hoops in the playground or on the driveway. The non athlete is likely to need a parent's help and encouragement to get and stay physically active. That's why it's important to encourage kids to remain active even through they aren't top performers.

Whatever your child's fitness personality, remember that all kids can be physically fit. Your positive attitude will help the kid who's reluctant to exercise. Be active yourself and support your child's interests. If you start this early enough, your child will come to regard activity as a normal and fun part of your family's everyday routine.