To a child’s mind, exercise means “play”. In kindergarten, their teachers let them out during recess to “exercise” and all that they do is run, swing, slide, jump, laugh and shout. In grade school, gym class teacher tell them to “exercise” and they play soccer or basketball; some practice karate while some practice their dance skills. There is a good reason why “exercise” is always integrated in school activities. A physically active child will have these benefits:

1.Stress caused by the school pressure is relieved because of the physical activity. Children who are introvert are also encourage to more participate and sociable.

2.Children who are active will feel better about themselves.

3.Physical activity has been proven to be effective in improving the attentiveness of children to lessons taught at school.

4.Obesity usually starts during childhood. A child who is introduced to a healthy lifestyle during the early stages of his or her life will grow up to be more conscious about his or her health. Physical activities also help keep the weight of children within the ideal range.

5.Physical activities also help children build healthy bones and muscles.

6.Of course, children who are active during daytime will have a good night sleep. Physical activities will help them to have better and longer sleeps. 

However, without the cooperation of the parents, all these benefits will not be experienced by the child. Children still spend majority of their time at home. Thus, parents should also introduce various physical activities at home. Children who are raised to favor physical activity will grow up healthy and lean. They will not need HCG diet programs or other crash diet courses just to have the body they want because they are already in it.

Every day exercise done at school and at home can result to the enhancement of the child’s endurance, strength and flexibility. These three elements are the key determinants of what a healthy body is.

Endurance

Regular aerobic activities result to increased endurance. These activities cause the heart to beat faster than its normal rate. When done properly, endurance-related exercises can help strengthen the heart and improve its ability to deliver oxygen throughout the body.

Strength

Children will also develop their strength through regular involvement to physical activities. They do not have to lift weights; all that children need to develop their strength is to use their own body weight. They can try to lift their own bodies through playground exercises like playing in the monkey bars. 

Stretching

While many obese adults wish to buy HCG and other weight loss products just to be able to reach their toes, children are in the best position to stretch their bodies as much as they want. Children can play various games with their parents and other playmates.

Children are very easy to influence, thus, parents should grab this opportunity to influence their children positively. Parents should set a good example to their children. Instead of simply telling a child to exercise, parents should join their children and devote at least half an hour each day for physical exercises.

Parents can easily influence their children to live a healthy lifestyle if and only if they set a good example to them. The author of this article believes that it is important for parents to be actively participative in the promotion of their child’s health or else, a time will come when their children will have to depend on an HCG diet just to lose weight.