Getting kids to exercise

Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. That's not just true for adults, but for children and teenagers as well.

Parents concerned about their kids living sedentary lives may have more to worry about than they know. According to a 2017 study published in the journal Preventive Medicine that analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003-2004 and 2005-2006, 19-year-olds spent as much time being inactive and sedentary as 60-year-olds.

Childhood obesity is a significant problem as well, with the 2015-2016 NHANES reporting that 20.6 percent of youths between the ages of 12 and 19 were obese.

Getting kids to be more active may be especially difficult for today's parents, who must contend with the internet, social media, tablets, smartphones and other distractions as they try to encourage their kids to unplug and spend more time being physically active. But parents can try various strategies to get kids off the couch and exercising.

— Set a positive example. Kids, especially young children, often try to emulate their parents. Parents can capitalize on kids' desire to be like mom and dad by exercising in front of their children. Young children may not be ready to lift weights or run on the treadmill, but parents can embrace kid-friendly exercises, such as walking and cycling. Invite kids along for daily bike rides or go for family walks around the neighborhood after dinner.

— Park the car. Kids don't need to know they're exercising in order to be more physically active. In lieu of driving to the bank or pharmacy, parents can leave the car at home and ride their bikes alongside their children when running errands. If possible, parents can walk youngsters to and from school rather than driving them.

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