Family and Parenting: Information For Families

Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Too many children spend their time sitting in a desk at school and then sitting in front of a box at home. But summer is here now – it’s a great time to get your kids fit and active.

The first thing that you can do is get rid of the boxes. This means minimizing or eliminating time spent watching television, playing video games and sitting at the computer. For older kids, this may mean restricting cell phone and texting time as well. This gives you more time to be active. At first, your kids may complain that they’re bored. Encourage them to participate in outdoor activities and before you know it, they’ll be playing and having fun.

Speaking of being outdoors, it’s a good idea to encourage your child to play outdoors early in the morning, when it isn’t so hot. Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day – about 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m – to avoid dehydration or heat-related illnesses. Make sure your child always wears sunscreen when outdoors and reapplies it as necessary.

Another way to stay out of the heat is to exercise indoors. Summer might be the perfect time for that martial arts class your child has always wanted to try. Or maybe your child would enjoy participating in a summer dance camp. Ask your children what activities interest them and find a program in your area that offers these programs.

As often as possible, include the entire family in activities. After all, children emulate their parents’ behaviors – be sure you’re setting a good example for them. You can go for walks together or even shoot a few hoops. Having a dog that needs to be walked is another good incentive to get the whole family up and moving.

When you’re planning your vacation, look for opportunities to be active as well. Maybe you’re visiting a place that offers a walking tour of the area or has hiking trails that let you see the natural side of your destination. Zoos often have walking trails that can be a lot of fun and swimming is a perennially popular summer activity.

Look for physical activities in your neighborhood. Many communities offer sports through local recreation and parks departments. There may also be summer camps or day camps your child can attend. Check with your local YMCA or Boys & Girls Clubs. These kinds of activities are especially enjoyable because kids are so busy having fun with each other, they seldom realize they’re exercising.

In addition, make sure your child has toys that encourage outdoor play. A bicycle with a helmet is a good idea, but just a jump rope and a few balls will do if space – or your budget – is limited.

Encourage your children to play with other children whose company they enjoy. It only takes a few friends for a game of soccer or kick ball and just one other person is enough for a competition shooting hoops.

Even simple games like playing hop scotch or a game of tag can help your child be more active and stay fit and healthy.