Families and Fitness

by Timothy Gower

Obesity on the Rise
Since the 1960s, the level of childhood obesity in the United States has increased over 50 percent. Today, between 15 and 25 percent of school children in the United States are overweight, placing them at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. A recent report from the Surgeon General states that only about half of all Americans aged 12 to 21 exercise regularly; one-quarter get no exercise at all.

The Surgeon General's report also notes that children tend to become less active with each passing year. It's easy to blame the lure of TV and the Internet for turning kids into idle slackers, but the influences are far more complex. Budget-conscious school officials are cutting physical education programs. Some adolescents surrender their free time to after-school jobs. Many teens mysteriously forget that they own bicycles once they get a driver's license. Finally, exercise can fall victim to fashion, points out Mary Ann Hill, a spokeswoman for the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. "It just becomes the less cool thing to do," Hill says.

What Parents Can Do
The Surgeon General recommends that all Americans get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Several studies have shown that children shape their attitudes about fitness by looking to role models -- friends, siblings, and, yes, parents. You don't need to be a super jock to inspire a child to stay fit. Here's how three families got in shape together:

The five o'clock group

Kris Ackeret convinced her daughter Ericka, 13, to join the "Five O'Clock Group," a collection of Kris' friends who rise at dawn several times a week to race-walk through the streets of San Jose, California. Ericka caught on quickly and now wins competitions. More importantly, says Kris, "exercise will always be part of her routine."

Hiking, biking, and jogging in Herndon, Virginia

Once a year, the Thibaults of Herndon, Virginia, go hiking in Shenandoah National Park. But staying active together is more than an annual event for the family of four. When Mike jogs, he's frequently joined by his daughter Michelle, 10, and son John, 8, who keep pace on bikes. Several days a week, Mary, 44, accompanies the kids on a brisk one-mile walk to school. The family swims and skis together, too. "You can't preach to them," Mary says. "Setting an example is the greatest teacher."

A father and daughter's crosstown walk

Chris Koehler challenged his daughter Katie to accompany him each night on his crosstown walk for one year. The reward: $100. But for the Koehlers, of Hornell, New York, the money was soon an after-thought. "The walks became a great opportunity for us to have 45 minutes to ourselves," says Chris. After winning the cash, Katie, 11, kept right on walking with her dad. "And when I get older," she says, "I'll walk with my kids, too."

Five Fitness Tips For Families
Here's how you can keep your exercise program fun, consistent, and safe.

• Warm up! Take a few minutes to stretch before any activity.
• Keep safety in mind. Wear appropriate headgear or pads when cycling or skating. (Moms and dads, this also means you.)
• Let a different family member pick their favorite physical fitness activity for the whole group to do together each week.
• Buy a notebook and use it as a fitness diary. Record how long or far each family member walked, ran, or cycled each day.
• Stick to a schedule. Make regular physical fitness activity a part of your family's daily routine.

Got some family fitness tips of your own? Share them with other parents!

More on: Sports for Middle and High Schoolers