How to Instill a Love of Fitness in Your Kids

Health

We all know that being active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But according to statistics, most Americans aren’t getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity they need for a healthy life.

And the inactivity starts young.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey done in 2013, only 42% of kids aged 8-11 are moderately to vigorously active for 60 minutes a day, at least 5 days per week (the activity level recommended by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans). That number drops to just 8% for those aged 12-15.

Instead of moving and being active, children spend, on average, over seven hours a day sitting around watching TV or twiddling on other electronic devices. Time spent being sedentary only increases as children get older. And the result of all this sitting around? Research suggests that along with poor diets, our country’s diminishing youth activity level is partly responsible for increasing childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes rates, as well as students’ decreasing cognitive and academic performance.

Sadly, inactive and sedentary children typically go on to become inactive and sedentary adults, increasing their risk for cardiac disease, depression, and diabetes as they get older.

Childhood inactivity has created such alarm, that federal and state governments have invested millions of dollars in the hope of encouraging kids to put down their smartphones and pick up a jump rope. Yet despite all the money thrown at the problem, the effort has only been nominally successful; no kid, if any, starts exercising because they see a television ad encouraging them to get off the couch and move.

Instead, if children are going to start getting more active, the effort has to begin at home — particularly with fathers. If you’re a dad, you’re in a unique position to act as an example and help your kiddos not only become more active now, but grow up into active adults. Today, we’ll show you why that is and how you can leverage your influence as a dad to help your children learn to love moving their bodies and embrace physical fitness.

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