According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 20 percent of American children and teens are considered obese. Childhood obesity increases the risk of serious health complications like diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Obesity also increases a child's risk of ridicule at school and negatively impacts her self-esteem. According to the National Institutes of Health, children who exercise regularly sleep better, stress less and have healthier muscles, bones and joints. Encourage your child to live a more active life by introducing activities that are not perceived as exercise.
Step 1
Play games. Tag, hide and seek, red light/green light and capture the flag all require kids to run around. Play with your child or encourage your children to play a game for one hour a day.
Step 2
Introduce new games such as pickpocket tag. Place a towel or strip of cloth in your and your child's pocket. The object of the game is to get each other's piece of cloth without losing your own. Involve the neighborhood kids to make this game more challenging.
Step 3
Play sports. Soccer, track and field, dodgeball and baseball are all sports that contain plenty of physical activity, including running or walking. Plus, it's a fun way for your child to get regular exercise, meet new people and make new friends.
Step 4
Go for a walk around the neighborhood, down a bike trail, on the beach or go for a hike in the woods. Involve the whole family.
Step 5
Join a walking group for parents or guardians that encourages children to come along.
Step 6
Give your child a pedometer and set weekly walking goals. Keep track of how many steps your child takes every day. Once she reaches the goal, increase the weekly goal amount.
Things You'll Need
- Towel or strip of cloth
- Pedometer
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Childhood Obesity
- Medline Plus: Exercise for Children
- Wired; 30 Classic Games for Simple Outdoor Play; Jenny Williams; August 2009
- Mayo Clinic: Children and Sports: Choices for All Ages
- HelpGuide: Supercharge Your Life with Exercise
- Disney Family: 10 Fun Outdoor Games for Kids
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