The number of American children who are in a slow slide into obesity is rapidly increasing, due to the drastic change in lifestyle the digital age has incited.  Where 15 years ago, watching a movie or playing a video game was a rare and treasured treat for many children, today it is a daily activity and usually the only ones for children.  The idea of going outside and running around and, well, just being kids, seems to have become a lost art in today’s world of endless video games, Internet attractions, and thousands of movies and television shows.

As a parent, you have the responsibility to help your child nip this sort of lifestyle right in the bud before it becomes a lifetime habit that will be much more difficult to break as an adult.  There are many things you can do to help your child actually like physical activity instead of dreading it, and the things you do can help your child without hurting their feelings if done in a tactful and kind way.

First of all, you can’t expect your kids to have an active lifestyle if you don’t.  If your kids see you going out and running or walking or playing sports or just dancing and having fun doing it, they’ll want to do it too.  They’ll see for themselves how much happier and healthier you are when you exercise and your example will be more powerful than any lectures you can give them.

Set a time each day to do something active together, and tailor it to your child’s interests.  For instance, even if he prefers something less physically active, like art or reading, you can take a walk to the library or take a hike in the park or mountains to take pictures for him to draw from.