- Listen to your child's interest and choice and be prepared to engage the child in the physical activity that interests them. - If your child is not interested in a team sport perhaps an individual sport like running or swimming is more suitable. - Start a physical activity jar. Put pieces of paper into it with various simple physical activities written down such as walking, or biking. Each evening a family member draws out a physical activity that everyone does together. - Encourage active play, like playing tag, hopscotch, hide and seek or scavenger hunts. Every minute spent in active play is time spent away from sedentary pursuits.

Moving from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one requires planning and perseverance from both parents and children. But there are professional resources readily available. Physiotherapists can work with families to create physical activity action plans that are realistic and attainable. They can also provide families with targeted exercise strategies for overweight children and coordinate comprehensive obesity management programs. However, to make physical activity a lifetime commitment that will result in healthier, happier, and smarter children, parents must start at home and make a concerted effort to encourage their children to go outside and play.

Source: CANADIAN PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION