“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
- Proverbs 22:6

While growing up in Silver Spring, Maryland, I became active in sports at a young age. By the age of five, I was a majorette, and eventually took up swimming, dance, softball, track and field, gymnastics and cheerleading. I loved the way athletics made me feel: self-assured, confident and strong.

It is perhaps the lessons I learned at a young age that have motivated me to reach out to young people throughout my career. It really bothers me how little exercise some of our kids are getting and how poorly many of them eat. Obesity among children has reached an all-time high: Fourteen percent of American children are obese. Weight problems lead to a multitude of health troubles, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, among others. What’s more alarming now, however, is that the consequences of poor eating and exercising habits are showing up while children are still in their youth. In 2003, diabetes among children also reached an all time high.

The health of our young people is beginning to mirror that of adults – one third of all Americans are seriously overweight. Diabetes, stroke and heart disease among adults in their twenties, thirties and forties is increasing. In short, we are becoming a nation of unhealthy adults producing unhealthy children. As Christians, we cannot settle for less than the best future for our children. What we teach them by example and in their daily habits, will dramatically impact their health for the rest of their lives.

Over the years, some of my most rewarding experiences as a fitness and wellness expert have been encouraging our youth to live healthy, active lifestyles. Through my own experiences in athletics and by working with kids around the country who are active in sports, I have learned something very important: Physical well-being isn’t the only reason to instill healthy habits in our kids. Being fit – and feeling good about who you are as a result – can also boost a child’s psychological well-being and self-esteem, helping them withstand the negative effects of peer pressure.

How can you improve the health and well being of the children in your family and community?

1. Don’t let them be idle and sedentary. Good health begins at home. One of the most important things children can do to improve their health is simple: Get moving! Until the 1980s, the most popular activities for children still required them to get up and get moving. As a result, children were more physically active. Today, many children’s most popular activities include watching television, playing video games and sitting in front of a computer. The 1996 Surgeon General’s report on Physical Activity and Health found that 50 percent of American kids do not engage in physical activity appropriate to long-term health promotion, and about fifteen percent aren’t active at all. Set limits to how much time children spend on sedentary activities such as video games, television and internet surfing.
   
   
2. Support and encourage them to participate in sports. Sports are one of the most fun ways to help kids form a healthy habit of physical activity. In a Gallup poll, entitled “What Kids Think,” three out of every five children who were active said that it was their family who encouraged them to get involved in sports, exercise or recreational activities. Once your kids are involved, be sure to support them by attending games, rewarding them for their hard work and discipline and giving them positive affirmation for their efforts. Through sports, they not only excel physically, but they also learn how to compete, win, lose and face challenges head on. They gain confidence and strength that helps them in many areas of their lives.
   
   
3. Show them the negative affects of an unhealthy diet. Most children are unconcerned with the affects of sugar, fat and other negative nutrition on their lives. As an adult, you have the opportunity to learn about the ways in which diet impacts your level of energy and health. Pass on your knowledge to your kids, even if it seems they are uninterested. When someone you know has a health problem that could be prevented by better nutrition and exercise, tell your children the truth. I am not suggesting that you scare them, but instead help them to see that they can make choices that lead to good health or poor health. When we teach children what’s right, we plant a seed that will sprout in the future. Your children may seem uninterested now, but as adults, it will be the lessons you taught them when they were young that guide them to make healthy choices. As Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
   
   
4. Lead by example. It’s important to remember that kids will mimic your habits. An attitude of “Do as I say, not as I do” does not work with kids. If they see you sitting in front of the television every day devouring cookies and potato chips, they’ll want some, too. Make good health a family affair. Next time you tell your kids to “go outside and play,” why not go out with them? Take your kids biking, swimming, skating, or go out and shoot some hoops with them. Take a walk with your kids – it’s a great opportunity to connect with them in meaningful conversation and exercise at the same time. If you need to lose weight, do it for yourself and for your kids. Be motivated by the fact that your discipline and effort to get in shape can have a powerful impact on your children. When they see how seriously you take your health, and the sacrifices you are willing to make, they will learn a very valuable lesson about the importance of taking good care of themselves and their bodies.
   
   
5. Volunteer in your community or church. We have a responsibility to help our children. Instead of waiting to take action – whether you are a parent or not – be a part of the solution. You can make a difference in the lives of the people who cross your path every day. Does your church have a family fitness ministry? If not, why not start one and encourage sports, exercise and physical activity that the whole family can enjoy? If you don’t want to start a program, you can volunteer with your church or local programs such as Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters or little league sports. Together, we can make a difference by helping to improve the quality of young people’s lives.

I pray that you will prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2).

Donna