| We know that our diet and activity levels affect | | | | must-have snacks which offer high levels of fat, |
| our weight and health. However, very few of us | | | | salt and sugar. Your child can relax, release the |
| are as active as we should be, and many of our | | | | stresses of school and enjoy themselves outside |
| young people are virtually sedentary. The 'Obesity | | | | in the garden or park or at a fitness class or |
| Epidemic' has been much in the news this week, | | | | sports group far more profitably. |
| mainly focusing on the Children's food industry and | | | | Here are 10 ways to become more active |
| nutritional legislation. Yes, we do need to watch | | | | together;o Walk/cycle/scooter to school (I know |
| what our kids and young people are eating, but | | | | it is obvious).o Get a dog and walk it together, |
| we also need to get them up and moving around | | | | borrow one if necessary!o Build a vegetable patch, |
| as well. Modern life with so much car use, | | | | get an allotment, or do some gardening together- |
| emphasis on academic success, and concerns | | | | put on the wellies and get muddy!o Visit the local |
| about safety has led to children's activity levels | | | | Pool.o Watch out in the school holidays for events |
| plummeting. Inactive children could be heading for | | | | at local sports and community centers; many |
| an adulthood plagued by health problems. | | | | provide cheap activity days with a large range of |
| High activity levels reduce the risk of obesity, | | | | sports and activities offered.o Go for a family |
| keep bones strong, condition and strengthen the | | | | bike ride and arrange a fun place to stop for |
| heart and lungs, boost the immune system, | | | | picnic or at a café/pub for a drink. |
| induce healthy tiredness, release stress and | | | | Contact Sustrans for cycle routes and ideas.o Go |
| frustration, and a myriad of other beneficial | | | | on outings that involve walking; nature or |
| effects. Our children should spend an hour | | | | Sculpture Trails, visit National Trust Houses, go to |
| minimum each day in constant motion, but often | | | | the zoo, or wander around historic sites. Plan |
| this is not the case. We take the kids to ballet or | | | | active family holidays; skiing, biking, beach holidays |
| swimming, as 'extra' activities, but spend the rest | | | | with body boarding, kite flying, surfing lessons, |
| of the week doing very little. We need to get | | | | volley ball etc. You don't need to go far or spend |
| them more generally active every day, and give | | | | a fortune; many small UK resorts offer |
| a good example by being more active ourselves. | | | | reasonably-priced lessons to older kids and teens.o |
| Activity needs to be integrated into all aspects of | | | | Choose presents for children which encourage |
| family life to ensure that the child doesn't see it | | | | activity; bikes, scooters, pogo sticks, footballs, |
| just as a hobby or worse a chore. Your child | | | | netball rings, roller skates, skate boards, skipping |
| needs to make lasting habits that continue into | | | | ropes, table tennis kits, badminton rackets, Hula |
| adulthood. Active children usually grow into active | | | | Hoops.o Encourage older children to develop an |
| adults, with greater bone density to protect | | | | interest in street dance, martial arts, |
| against osteoporosis, lower resting heart rates, | | | | snowboarding, surfing or power kite flying; show |
| promoting good coronary health, less risk of | | | | them the alternative culture of activity which is |
| certain cancers such as bowel cancer, and greater | | | | fashionable as well as challenging.o Visit local parks |
| control of blood sugar levels; reducing the risk of | | | | and open spaces with a picnic, cricket Bat, kite or |
| diabetes. Physically these children will grow into | | | | Frisbee Hold a family and friends sports day in the |
| healthier adults, but they also will benefit mentally, | | | | park, with rounders, hula hoop competitions, egg |
| with better motor skills and co-ordination, | | | | and spoon and sack races, French Cricket, Kite |
| increased body awareness, and greater self | | | | Flying. No end of fun for everyone, and |
| confidence. | | | | grown-ups could sneak a bottle of something nice |
| The strongest threats to our children's activity | | | | into the picnic basket! |
| levels are TV, Computers and computer games. | | | | There are so many ways that we can become |
| These things all have their place, but must not | | | | more active, even if we do not want to engage |
| become the main focus of your child's free time. | | | | in formal sporting pursuits. Every bit of activity |
| Television watching has been overwhelmingly | | | | that we do is another step towards improved |
| linked with obesity; delivering the double whammy | | | | health, so get out there with family, children or |
| of inactivity teamed with hours of advertising | | | | friends and do something active together! |