How to Raise Fit Kids

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America. In his book, Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids: A Family-Centered Approach to Achieving Optimal Health, author, doctor, and dad Robert Gotlin talks about how you can make sure your kids stay active and create health habits that will stay with them the rest of their lives. He spoke with Nell Minow, Beliefnet's Movie Mom blogger.

Do kids today get less exercise than their parents did? Why?

If I told you kids are playing more sports than their parents did yet they are in worse shape and exercising less, you may look at me as if I have two heads. The truth is, kids are participating in more sport-hours than their parents did, however, the majority of the time spent, playing "team" sports, and is anything but a true "exercise workout." Just see for yourself. Go and watch a Little league baseball practice...a lot of "standing around" out there. When our parents had free time, it wasn't standing around and watching on a Little League practice field, rather, it was a trip to the park for a day of playing ALL sports with their friends, and there was not a coach anywhere to be found. The day was all about constant motion. What are the biggest impediments kids and parents face that make it harder to adopt a healthy lifestyle?

Kids are faced with too many options. There's the recreational basketball program, then there's the CYO league, the travel program, the AAU. There are time management issues where everyday can be filled with another team practice, school work suffers, overuse injuries occur, and let's not forget pressure from mom and/or dad, reminding everyone in an ear's distance that "their" little six year old indeed is the next Derek Jeter. The pressures facing these young athletes can be overwhelming.

And couple this with many families who nowadays, have two working parents...possibly one parent with two or three different jobs. The family "together-time' suffers. And when family time suffers, so does the healthy lifestyle concept suffer.

Should all kids play some kind of sport? What are the factors to consider in selecting the right sport for a child?

Every child need NOT play a sport. Every child needs to be physically active and every child needs to be placed in a situation where he/she can succeed. "Success breeds confidence and confidence breeds success." When a child engages in an activity he/she cannot succeed in, the simple solution is to move on and try something else. Many sports or physical activities offer different benefits, whether it is the martial arts for the hyperactive child or football for the overweight child. And for the child who simply is not an athlete, the "back to the future" mentality works best; a family walk, a game of tag, or simply a day in the park will do fine. One of the key points to consider is whether your child fits best into the TEAM or INDIVIDUAL sport model. This decision needs to be an "unbiased" one and not driven by mom or dad's own preference.

What do parents need to know to make their communications with coaches and PE teachers most effective?

Communication, communication, communication...I can't emphasize this enough. Parents should be proactive in assuring the environment for their child is safe and secure. Parents, on the other hand, should not attend a child's basketball practice to offer their on the court expert opinion. That's why there is a coach.

The more experienced and more qualified coaches will deliver an outline of their coaching philosophies, expectations, and demands early in the process. This affords the opportunity for Q&A and can eliminate conflict down the road. Offering constructive advice almost always assures mom or dad a seat near the bench. This may be accomplished by organizing a team fund raiser, offering to assist with transportation, or merely letting the coach know you are available if he/she should require assistance with any operational issues.

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