Timothy Gower
- Today, between 15 and 25 percent of schoolchildren in the United
States are overweight, placing them at risk for heart disease, diabetes,
and high blood pressure.
- A recent report from the Surgeon General states that only
about half of all Americans aged 12 to 21 exercise regularly;
one-quarter get no exercise at all.
The Surgeon General's report also notes that children tend to become
less active with each passing year. It's easy to blame the lure of TV
and the Internet for turning kids into idle slackers, but the influences
are far more complex. Budget-conscious school officials are cutting
physical education programs. Some adolescents surrender their free time
to after-school jobs. Many teens mysteriously forget that they own
bicycles once they get a driver's license. Finally, exercise can fall
victim to fashion, points out Mary Ann Hill, a spokeswoman for the
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. "It just becomes the
less cool thing to do," Hill says.
Be a role model for your kids
The Surgeon General recommends that all Americans get at least 30
minutes of exercise a day. Several studies have shown that children
shape their attitudes about fitness by looking to role models --
friends, siblings, and, yes, parents. You don't need to be a super jock
to inspire a child to stay fit. Here's how three families got in shape
together:
The five o'clock group
Kris Ackeret convinced her daughter Ericka, 13, to join the "Five
O'Clock Group," a collection of Kris's friends who rise at dawn several
times a week to race-walk through the streets of San Jose, California.
Ericka caught on quickly and now wins competitions. More importantly,
says Kris, "exercise will always be part of her routine."
Hiking, biking, and jogging in Herndon, Virginia
Once a year, the Thibaults of Herndon, Virginia, go hiking in Shenandoah
National Park. But staying active together is more than an annual event
for the family of four. When Mike jogs, he's frequently joined by his
daughter Michelle, 10, and son John, 8, who keep pace on bikes. Several
days a week, Mary, 44, accompanies the kids on a brisk one-mile walk to
school. The family swims and skis together, too. "You can't preach to
them," Mary says. "Setting an example is the greatest teacher."
A father and daughter's crosstown walk
Chris Koehler challenged his daughter Katie to accompany him each night on his crosstown walk for one year. The reward: $100. But for the Koehlers, of Hornell, New York, the money was soon an after-thought. "The walks became a great opportunity for us to have 45 minutes to ourselves," says Chris. After winning the cash, Katie, 11, kept right on walking with her dad. "And when I get older," she says, "I'll walk with my kids, too."
Five Fitness Tips For Families
Warm up! Take a few minutes to stretch before any activity.
Keep safety in mind. Wear appropriate headgear or pads when cycling or skating. (Moms and dads, this also means you.)
Let a different family member pick their favorite activity for the whole group to do together each week.
Buy a notebook and use it as a fitness diary. Record how long or far each family member walked, ran, or cycled each day.
Stick to a schedule. Make regular physical activity a part of your family's daily routine.
Got some family fitness tips of your own? Share them with other parents!
Resources:
99 Tips for Family Fitness Fun...write for a free brochure: "99 Tips for Family Fitness Fun," c/o MET-Rx Foundation for Health Enhancement, 2112 Business Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92715-1014.