(Directed to kids, written for parents)

                For this first age range the most important aspect for this age group is staying active.  A growing body needs almost nothing else than their own body for the workouts they put in. As a parent it is important to know that you have the greatest impact on the child’s health. Nearly 30% of children in America today are overweight or obese. The health of a child leads to many health problems later on in life, and causes an extremely high amount of psychological problems as well. In fact an obese child is three times as likely to suffer from depression that one of normal weight.
                A child’s health directly correlates to their health for the rest of their life. That is why it is so important to keep a strong hold of a child well being. A child should aim for at least an hour of physical activity per day. A child doesn’t need to lift weights or go through a strong workout routine. They simply need to stay active and eat correctly. If the child has the ability and access to lift weights then he or she should do so. At this age it is important to do a higher amount of reps and use proper technique. Proper technique will allow the muscles to form correctly and will help strengthen the child without them losing any agility. A basic guideline for when to start strength training - if your child is capable of playing a competitive sport then he or she is safe to start training.
                As a parent it is important to keep your child involved in any type of activity that involves constant motion. Let them pick a sport of their choice and then be as supportive as possible of their involvement in it. Keeping the child motivated will give them a feeling of confidence in what they are doing and will make them enjoy it rather than dread going to practice.
                When the child is not involved in a sports program it is important to find alternative activities that will keep them moving. Give them simple exercises to do such as running, push-ups, sit-ups, stretching, or swimming. It can also be helpful to give the child chores to do around the house. Cleaning, shoveling walks, and even taking out the trash is a way to get the child off the couch and teach them the importance of responsibility. Do whatever it takes to keep the child away from the TV. This will give them the opportunity to be creative in forming new activities and will also keep them away from all of the junk food ads on TV. The average child watches 51 hours of junk food commercials a year.
                You can also help by buying cheap items that will help keep them active. Examples include jump ropes, bikes, or balls to play with. One of the greatest ways to increase activity is to make a weekly outdoor family activity such as hiking or biking. Any time you can participate with the child you will be tightening family bonds and will both be working towards better health. This also shows you support the child in staying active and aren’t hypocritical of them staying in motion.  
                Probably the most difficult part of keeping a child healthy is feeding him or her the right foods. Studies show that 30% of children in America eat fast food on a daily basis. Remember that eating fast food at least once a day is as unhealthy as being a regular smoker. Fast food is convenient and it is often what a child ends up craving. When feeding kids you need to have them follow after you. Never expect a child to eat what their parents don’t. Do this by making healthy foods the simplest to reach at home and
constantly push healthy eating habits. It is very important to keep telling your child the importance of eating right and using this as motivation for good eating behavior. On the contrary a child can hear that eating healthy will help them grow big and strong, but words aren’t enough when a child has the choice to eat unhealthy.