Child health & obesity: a positive perception of physical activity

Despite being an important part of health, growth and development (and essential for the elimination of the excess energy that contributes to childhood obesity), many minors would rather watch TV than work up a sweat.

In order to ensure that your youngster gets enough exercise, check out my top three tips for how to develop a positive perception of physical activity during childhood...

1.Practice peaceful parenting.
Although parents may be prone to shouting at the sidelines, kids who associate physical activity with an aggressive attitude are less likely to have a positive perception of exercise as they enter adolescence and adulthood - a common culprit that's responsible for inactive adults. 
By all means maintain their motivation with confidence building comments, but never bombard their influential brains with dictative demands.

2.Make fitness fun for the family.
Encouraging your energetic youngster to tackle the same strenuous training session that tones your troublesome tummy may seem like a sensible solution to saving time, but boredom will set in before you reach your second set of sit ups.
Instead of failing to ignite their interest in your weekly workouts (and promoting a negative perception of physical activity being 'boring'), work on improving your fitness as a family by enjoying the sensory stimulation that stems from a scenic stroll, or the thrill of clambering up a child friendly climbing wall - the latter resembling an activity that will teach your tot that exercise can be as exciting and as enjoyable as they choose to make it.

3.Resemble a realistic role model.
Although pressuring your youngster to participate in physical activity may drive them to develop a genuine dislike for fitness, leading a sedentary lifestyle and/or shunning physical activity in fear of how others may perceive your 'imperfect' physique - a problem that parents who are self-conscious about their shape and size are particularly prone to - can be equally as detrimental to your child's desire to swap their playstation for a fun fitness session with their friends.
Before you beat yourself up for failing to flaunt a 'fitness friendly' figure and/or slouch on the sofa with a feast of fast food, think carefully about how your actions are affecting your child's enthusiasm to exercise. If you aren't a fan of fitness, chances are your child will follow in the same sedentary footsteps.

Final thought: all young people aged 5-18 should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate (playing in the playground) to vigorous (sports such as swimming) aerobic activity every day, as well as bone and muscle strengthening exercises such as skipping, climbing and walking three times a week - many vigorous aerobic activities will strengthen bones and muscles without the need to participate in additional activity (not that the latter is a bad thing!). For tinier tots under the age of five, active play should be encouraged as much as possible in order to prevent long periods of inactivity. 

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