FAQS on Fitness for Children
Have you always wanted to know more about fitness for children? Discover the answers to some of the most commonly asked children's fitness questions including how to motivate your child to exercise; encouraging your child to adopt a healthy eating plan, and more.
Q. How can I encourage my child to eat a healthier diet?
A. By eating one yourself. Stock your fridge with a wide variety of healthy fruits and veggies and make sure you are emulating the lifestyle you want your children to adopt. Children whose parents eat healthy and make exercise a part of their lifestyle are more likely to follow a healthy eating and exercise plan as well.
Q. How much exercise do children need each day?
A. Parents should strive to incorporate 60 minutes of physical activity per day into their children's lives. Extended exercise periods are perfectly fine for healthy kids. Leading a sedentary lifestyle as a child sets your kid up to be overweight and unhealthy as an adult, so it is important to include exercise as part of your family's daily lifestyle.
Q. How can I motivate my child to exercise?
A. Let them choose activities they enjoy, such as biking, swimming or hiking, and make it a family event. Take a weekend bike ride around the lake, play a game of flag football in the park, or any other activity that keeps kids active and having fun. If they see you leading an active lifestyle, they are much more likely to emulate that.
Q. How young is too young for exercise?
A. Children of all ages, even young children, can benefit from daily exercise. For preschool-age children, their activity will come from playing games such as tag, hide and go seek and the like. In fact, young children who are encouraged to exercise early in life are more likely to continue leading a healthy lifestyle well into adulthood.
Q. How do I get my kids away from the T.V.?
A. If your child cannot seem to tear him or herself away from the T.V., set firm limits. Kids should be allowed no more than 2 hours of screen time (via TV. or computer) per day. If you would like to incorporate TV time into exercise, consider investing in one of the more active video game systems, such as the Nintendo WII Fit and make it a family affair. That way you and your child can have fun and still burn calories.
Q. How can I keep my kid from getting bored with exercise?
A. By allowing your child to choose different activities each day of the week. The same routine will get boring very quickly, so it's important to engage in a wide variety of physical activities your child can enjoy.