Submitted by Rae Pica

A recent study states that "families rarely take part in physical activity as a family because of the demands of work, school and the different interests of family members."   

Interestingly, the majority of parents reported that they consider family participation in physical activity to be important, and they identified its many benefits, including time spent together, parent-child communication, having fun, better mental health, weight control, and physical fitness. Still, most parents reported their families did little or no physical activity together as a family unit during the week, and any activities performed together were usually sedentary in nature.

Sorry, parents, but if you want your children to be physically active, you're going to have to lead by example. Your influence is considerable.

For example, research has shown that parents' inactivity may exert more influence on their children's behavior than being active does. That is, if a child sees mom or dad sitting in front of the TV during all their free time -- if he never sees his parents exercising or enjoying themselves as they do something physical -- the parents' actions (in this case inactions) will speak volumes. He'll simply follow suit. Even if his parents tell him how important it is to be physically active, he'll have no reason to believe them.

A Penn State study demonstrated that children do indeed follow the example their parents set for them. Their research, conducted over two years, established that 79% of the girls who became overweight from ages 5 to 7, with or without a genetic disposition to obesity, were from sedentary families.

On the other hand, an article in the Australian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics reports that children with active mothers are twice as likely to be active as children with inactive mothers. Children with active fathers are three and a half times more likely to be active than children with inactive fathers. And when both parents are active, their children are six times more likely to be active!

Parents might find it difficult, at first, to set aside time for something they consider an "extra." But as evidenced by the results of the first study cited here, parents do realize physical activity is much more than an "extra."

To serve as role models, parents can plan parties, outings, and vacations around physical activity. Looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon? Go to the roller-skating rink. Planning a vacation? How about a trip to the mountains, where you can hike and swim, rather than to an amusement park, where you'll stand in lines and then sit on rides? Will you be inviting dozens of your child's friends to a backyard birthday party? Why not set up play stations -- one with bubbles to chase, another with balloons to volley, and still anotehr with beanbags to balance -- where the children, divided into groups, play for a while and then rotate?

Additionally, parents can guy gifts related to physical activity, like roller skates, a croquet set, or hiking boots. If a child gets only computer games, videos, and other sedentary materials, she's getting the wrong impression.

Of course, parents can also "walk the walk." As a form of exercise, walking is almost perfect. It's an exercise just about everyone can do, regardless of fitness level. It doesn't require special skill, and you can do it at your own pace. There are no fees involved, and there's no equipment required. Also, it can be both practical (it can get you where you need to go) and pleasurable (you can take in the sights and have a heart-to-heart with your child), while also burning calories.

How about scheduling a family walk every evening after dinner? Do it before you've cleaned up the kitchen so you won't lose momentum. Then come back and clean up together. Housework burns calories, too. And if you put on a piece of moderate- to fast-paced music in the background, you'll probably burn even more calories keeping time with the rhythm.

ABOUT the Author:

Since 1980 I've worked as an early childhood physical activity specialist, making presentations, giving speeches, consulting, and writing, writing, writing! It's all in an effort to ensure that children are moving & learning -- to promote their physical, social/emotional, and cognitive development!

Through the years I've been fortunate enough to have consulted for the people at Sesame Street, the Centers for Disease Control, the Head Start Bureau, Gymboree Play & Music, and many more fabulous organizations dedicated to the needs of young children. I've traveled throughout North America, meeting incredible people, seeing incredible sights, and spreading the "movement message." Now, thanks to the Internet, I have the opportunity to spread the message even further -- through this blog, articles at parenting sites, my regular column at Education.com, and as host of Body, Mind and Child (www.bamradionetwork.com), a radio program for parents and educators.

Check out all that I do at www.movingandlearning.com!