Florida Perry Smith

Fit Kids: That Certain Something

We're raising a generation of unfit kids. So says Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, founder and president of the world-renowned Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. "I really feel the only hope in the future for controlling the cost of health care and including overall health is to concentrate on the children." Kids have become more sedentary. They watch more TV, spend more time playing video games. And spend much less time riding their bikes or playing in the backyard with friends. Are you setting a good example for your kids? How often do you eat out? Do you exercise regularly?
"The most important thing for a child to be fit is the example and the leadership set by the parents, says Dr. Cooper. In his book, Fit Kids, Dr. Cooper recommends creating a parent-child fitness contract. You agree to be an active participant in your child's fitness and your child commits to ongoing activity and exercise. Dr. Cooper says, "But don't become overly involved to the extent that it takes the fun out of it. Because kids will not participate in exercise programs over the year, unless number one, they're having fun."
It's time to get back to the basics. Get involved. Set an example for your kids. Get them up off the chair and get them moving. You'll be doing your kids a big favor giving them that certain something to last a lifetime.