Be Fit - Have an active family

It's no secret that the rate of US childhood obesity is at an all time high. In fact, the rate of obesity in preschool children, aged two to five, has doubled over the past thirty years. As a parent or caregiver, it is important to get our kids to move and be active to fight obesity and achieve a state of wellbeing and overall health.

But, how do you deal with the X-Box Generation, TV, and couch potatoes? Here are some tips and tricks to get your kids moving!

• Be a role model. First, it's vital to realize that as a parent, you are your child's first role model and coach for physical activity. A child who watches their parent head out for a morning run or take the family dog for a nightly walk becomes accustomed to the normalcy of the role physical activity plays.
• Talk to your child about the importance of being active. Let your child know how you feel about bodily activity. Sharing the physical benefits of regular exercise that you have experienced with your child like maintaining a healthy weight, having an increased level of energy and lowering your risk for health issues can help to foster an attitude of activeness within your family.
• Make being active part of the whole family. If you make physical activity part of your family's regular routine or weekly outings, your kids will pick up on the routine and accept it as normal. Activities such as going for a walk to the park, the local family pool for a swim, or walking the dog are all great choices. If your shopping center is in walking distance, take a walk instead of the car.
• Make it Fun! Try to be creative when you incorporate physical activity into your routine with kids. Dancing, running, and sports are all great and lots of fun for kids. It's also a good idea to have a daily time set aside for family activity to make sure everybody participates.
• Encourage active play. Weather permitting, encourage your kids to go out and play instead of sitting inside and playing video games. Try to figure out what type of physical activity your child enjoys and work them into your routine.
• Provide positive reinforcement for being active. Praise your child for being active and show her that you're proud of her achievements. Sports are a great way to see your child achieve and overcome obstacles, learn teamwork and socialize at the same time.

Whatever activity works best for you and your family, remember the positive effects it has on your family's health and make it part of your weekly routine.