Parental role models can influence children’s fitness level

Editor’s Note: The following is the 10th of a 12-part series of columns from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Move & Improve is an outreach program of EMMC’s Community Wellness Service that promotes healthful lifestyles for Maine people.

As parents, one of our most important jobs is to be positive role models for our children. Seeing you go off to the fitness center to work out, take a walk or watching while you do yoga at home helps reinforce that exercise, physical activity and physical fitness are important.

But don’t stop there.

Help your child develop a regular physical activity habit of his or her own. It will help set the stage for healthy lifestyle habits that last a lifetime.

Physical activity is an important part of your child’s life. It helps develop motor skills and coordination and builds muscle. So don’t forget the smallest members of your family; they need physical activity, too.

Family fitness plan

Work with your family to create a fitness plan for each family member. Use these tips to find ways to get your entire family moving and improving.

Have fun. This is especially important for children. They’ll be more interested and participate longer if it’s something they enjoy.

Do things together. Take a family walk around the neighborhood. Invite your neighbors over to play Frisbee. Exercising together not only will keep you fit, but help foster strong family relationships.

Try a variety of activities. Ask each family member to come up with an activity they’d like to try and do it as a family. Variety keeps things interesting! You can swim, bike, hike, Rollerblade, skip rope or dance.

Concerned about the increase in childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles, the National Association of Sports and Physical Education issued its first set of guidelines for physical activity for infants and toddlers in February. NASPE emphasizes the need for children to be physically active from birth. Learn more about the guidelines at www.aahperd.org. Or check out the book, “Toddlerobics” by Zita Newcombe. It offers ideas about getting toddlers up and moving by imitating the movements of animals. Waddle like a penguin or slither like a snake and have fun while encouraging your toddler to be active.

Increase the physical activity of your older children by supporting their participation in organized sports at schools or youth leagues or encouraging them to go outside and play a rousing game of tag. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports offers a booklet titled “Get Fit” that provides many ideas about getting kids up off the couch. Check it out at www.fitness.gov/getfit.

The Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity recommends that all Americans be physically active for 30 minutes a day for most days of the week. Take the time and make the time to be active with your entire family. Those who are physically fit are healthier, feel better and perform better in their daily activities.

Good nutrition is an important complement to physical activity. When you prepare and choose healthy foods, your children are more likely to make healthy choices as well. Keep a variety of nutritious foods on hand at home and help your child choose a healthy diet.

Help your children be the best they can be by being a physically active parent. Eat well, be active, stay strong and enjoy moving to improve.

Kate Bartley of Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Community Wellness Service is a member of the Move & Improve Coalition. For more information, contact Move & Improve coordinator Elanna Farnham at 973-7245 or efarnham@emh.org.