The best role models kids can have for physical activity and healthy eating are their parents. Studies have shown that overweight parents are far more likely to have overweight children. With spring right around corner, there are lots of things the family can do to increase physical activity.

"Limit the amount of time you watch television. By doing this, you will find it easier to limit the amount of time your child watches TV and movies, or plays video and computer games. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of two hours of viewing time for children each day."

Pick some favorite family outdoor activities like playing Frisbee, hiking, or gardening. Modeling a healthy lifestyle while kids are young will go a long way toward ensuring they become healthy adults. Read more at SeattlePI.com.

Wellspring offers a family camp geared to getting families on the road to a healthy lifestyle. Learn more at WellspringFamilyCamp.com.

Labels: families, fitness, role_models

Debra Zarella isn't a certified physical trainer, but she has plenty of clients. When they're not working out, they're probably watching cartoons, playing video games, or practicing their spelling. Zarella designed her Healthy Kidz fitness club for just that - kids.

"Every piece of equipment in the gym is pint-sized to meet the needs of its pint-sized clients. Gym owner Debra Zarella got the idea after her own gym fell short for her seven-year-old daughter."

A typical workout consists of a warm-up on the treadmill and three rounds of strength-building on hydraulic resistance machines. A dietitian and nutritionist are onsite as well, and each training session costs just $15. Read more at ABC-7.com.

Labels: exercise, parents, role_models

Barbara Jones Slater became, at 15 years old, the youngest woman ever to win an Olympic gold medal. It's a record she still holds. Now, at 71, she's encouraging young people to be active. She recently spoke at a conference aimed at fighting childhood obesity.

"The conference - 'Healthy Cultures, Healthy Kansas: Moving Forward' - was sponsored by the Center for Health Disparities at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. It kicked off April as National Minority Health Month, said Sharon Goolsby, program director for the Center..."

About 150 people attended this third annual conference, which included breakout sessions and a wellness center that offered health screenings and chair massages. Read more at CJOnline.com.

Labels: activity, exercise, role_models

Despite all the advice out there about getting kids healthy using "interactive" video games, or "tricks" to get them to eat healthy foods, one of the best things parents can do is simply model an active lifestyle and healthy eating.

"At home, parents are a child's best role models. If you stay active and eat a balanced diet, your children are more likely to follow your lead. Here are some tips on how to influence your child's lifestyle: Keep healthier foods in the house, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy foods, so they begin to consider it 'the norm'."

Also, encourage moderation, and limit television and computer time. Read more at WisInfo.com.

Looking for free parenting tips and advice on raising teenagers? Visit ByParents-forParents for tips and advice on raising teens.

Labels: influences, parents, role_models

Today, "kid cuisine" consists mostly of fried chicken, French fries, and sweet drinks like soda. One result of this unbalanced diet is that we now find ourselves in the midst of a childhood obesity epidemic. Another result is that kids no longer have an appetite for food that's actually good.

"Once they get used to these flavors, the taste threshold is set so high that fresh fruits aren't sweet enough and vegetables taste too bitter... "

Instead, parents should be helping kids discover and appreciate the taste of healthy foods that have been properly prepared. Parents need to worry less about buying foods their kids like and more about teaching kids to like the foods they buy.

Looking for more free parenting tips? Visit ByParents-forParents for free advice and tips for parents.

Labels: examples, influences, role_models