Child's play; fitness coach

Teach your children to get active now and they will thank you in the long run. A happier, fitter and healthier lifestyle awaits As adults, we know that living a healthier lifestyle will increase our quality of life. It is well known that being active will reduce cardiac problems, lower blood pressure, reduce obesity and aid speedy recovery from ailments.

But what about our kids? Are they as active as they should be? Not according to recent reports that show obesity is on the rise in children. This can often be traced back to a lack of physical activity. We could be slowly decreasing our offspring's life span by allowing them to sit and play computer games and surf the net.

Most of us would gladly die for our children yet could be responsible for slowly killing them by allowing bouts of inactivity to go unchecked. What do you do to motivate your kids into moving more? Your children's health is at risk if you are often to be found lying on the sofa with a bottle of beer and a packet of crisps. It is you, not some footballer or pop star, who is your child's role model.

You are the one they look up to and try hard to impress, you are the one they will bust a gut for, you are the one they will run to when they've fallen down. So when was the last time you were active with your children?

A young adult's obesity can often be traced back to their early years of inactivity. As a child, lack of exercise and little motivation to get moving build up over the years. It's just the same when your children learn to write. At first their writing resembles a scribbled mess, but before long you can start to recognise the odd letter and and then they manage joined-up words and sentences. This leads to a writing style that is theirs alone and will be with them for life.

How long did you spend with your children teaching them how to write and checking their homework? Probably double the time you ever did getting them to run about. Your children have been motivated to write from a young age. They should be equally encouraged to be active at a young age.

I remember my grandad taking me for walks - I walked all over the place as a child. I still have a passion for walking and tend to walk somewhere every day. It is worth remembering that children who don't take part in any or only experience a little physical activity when young, will find it hard to motive themselves as adults. Whereas kids who are active will find it easier to keep themselves active to some degree all their life. I can relate to that. A tracksuit should not just be a fashion statement.

Sending kids to fat camps where they reduce calories, cut out high fat foods for a week and do activities that are fun and enjoyable, are all the rage in America. Thankfully, this has not taken off in this country. Fat camps are a way of telling them, in a round about way, that they are fat and you can't be bothered having fun with them. How must this look to an already insecure and impressionable child? The whole family needs to be involved in being active.

I visit many primary schools in central Scotland and it saddens me to see the amount of kids who, with parental consent, don't exercise along with me. It should be compulsory. Enrol your kids in everything that involves movement and fun. Swimming clubs, racket sports, running clubs, athletics and any sport or activity that makes them laugh. If you give your child the chance to say no, they will. Just enrol them and see them grow.

Most children love attention, so get out with them and let them cycle around the park, take a ball, throw a Frisbee or get together with other families and have a game of rounders. It may not sound like the British thing to do but, the point is, our attitude has to change.

Encourage them at every opportunity to play out in the fresh air and enjoy their exercise whatever form it takes. Look at your child and think about the chances they will have when they are older if they feel secure and have confidence. Being motivated and feeling part of an active family will help them grow immenselyu You can e- mail David at: [email protected]

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