Over the last few years, there has been a lot of attention and column inches dedicated to the health and fitness of children. While much of the criticism has been about what youngsters eat, there has also been a lot of concerns over how much exercise they get in the modern world.
So why aren't they getting as much exercise anymore?
There are a number of reasons why children are getting less and less exercise. One reason is the rise in popularity of technology such as computers, televisions and games consoles. With so much choice for entertainment - be it of channels, video games or the internet at large - there is more for children to do indoors than out at the moment. It's not just in the home, either. At school, internet computer rooms attract many kids on their lunchbreak, meaning they're no longer having an hour of exercise during weekdays.
Another reason is fears over safety, with many parents fearful of letting their children play too far away from their homes. Years ago, kids would go off and explore on bikes, but today's culture - rightly or wrongly - is more protective of where our children are all the time. Unfortunately, a number of parents are also struggling to find time of their own to spend playing sports and other activities with their children. Long working hours and household responsibilities means kids aren't getting the attention they once did.
How can they get more exercise?
It's extremely important that children get plenty of exercise, both for their fitness and their health. Here are some easy ways that you can help them...
1) Walking to school - if they're still young, find the time to walk them to school rather than driving round the corner. If they're a little older, why not let them walk to school with a group of friends. They'll be safe and walking is a simple form of exercise.
2) Switch off the TV - if a parent comes home and puts the TV on straight away, chances are the children will start to replicate this behaviour. Obviously, it can be very tiring when you get in, but by changing one or two bad habits, it could encourage your children to do the same.
3) Take them to watch sport - although not exercise in itself, by watching a live sporting event, they may strike up a new interest in playing it themselves. If so, make sure you encourage them without being too pushy. If not, don't pressure them. Maybe you got the wrong sport.
4) Think outside the box - if mainstream sports like football aren't for them, then why not see if they fancy something a little different - like judo or karate - and offer to take them to a lesson.
5) Give them the garden - while many parents may like the idea of growing flowers or having a lovely lawn, it's more important that children are allowed to play and get exercise. If that means having a set of goals, a badminton net or some other sporting equipment that wears away the grass, so be it - after all, it's definitely worth it.
6) Dust off your boots - if you're kid is into football, get a ball and take them to the park for a kick-about. Likewise if they like rugby, cricket, swimming or any other sport (unless it's karate or judo, in which case it's probably best left to the well-trained!).
7) Take them to the gym - that's right, kids are allowed at the gym too. In fact, there are a number of kids gyms and family-friendly gyms available all over the UK and Ireland, including a Total Fitness gym in Dublin, that are well-equipped for your little one's health and enjoyment.
If you're interested in knowing more about kids fitness centres, then why not visit Total Fitness Ireland today?
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