That's Fit

Don't have time to exercise as a family? Try making TV a weekend-only activity.

Does your child eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables? Are your kids physically active? Do they have a pet they're responsible for? These are just a few of the questions I was asked when I took the RealAge Healthy Kids Test. RealAge -- it's not just for grownups any more.

If you're honest with this test, it'll spit out some good information when you're done. For instance, it'll list all of the good habits you're instilling in your children and then it will also tell you how much the bad habits you're ignoring will age your child by the time she's in her 30s. Better yet, RealAge will help you give you some tips to help you refine those trouble spots and improve your child's health.

When I was a kid, the end of the school day meant lining up into two lines: those who rode the bus and walkers. Then, the lines were about equally divided; kids who lived in town walked home, those who lived outside the city limits took the bus. But a recent survey found that fewer kids are walking to school now than ever -- down from 90% in 1969 to 48% today. Nearly half of kids who lived outside of town walked or cycled to school in the 60s, while only 16% do so now.

As a parent, I think it's easy to see one of the biggest reasons for the declining number of "walkers" today: safety. But experts also say that busier family lives, convenience, and changing attitudes about exercise may also be coming into play. The National Center for Safe Routes to School is a group that's trying to address some of these issues and get more kids out walking again. If you want to encourage kids in your community to walk, consider taking part in International Walk to School Day on October 3rd.

Do you worry about your kids getting enough exercise? I know I do. In the spring, summer, and fall it's not a problem, but in the winter I'm constantly trying to come up with ways to get them moving. Past generations of children spent so much time outside, it was hard for parents to get them in for dinner. But for a lot of different reasons -- video games, computers, safety concerns, among them -- it seems like kids are spending more and more time indoors.

It really is important that kids learn to love exercise. Not only will it help them stay healthy now and prevent gaining extra weight in childhood, it will teach them to build habits that will last them a life time. Here's a list of the top 10 reasons why kids should exercise. Exercise relieves anxiety, builds interpersonal relationships, builds confidence, improves sleep, enhances school performance, and prevents disease. Plus, it's fun!

Every reason on that list is a good one. Need some ideas? Next time your child says, "I'm boooorrrred," here's a list of 50 ways for kids to exercise. And Mayo Clinic has an excellent article for turning your little former couch potato into an exercise fan. (If your kids still need convincing, here's an article just for them.) Spring is the perfect time to teach kids to be active and to get them in shape for some summer fun.