Researchers in Houston Texas did a study with fourth graders, that split kids between those who walk to school and those who ride the bus or with a parent. The findings show that the kids who walked to school ended up getting more daily, vigorous activity, while those who were driven actually saw a decrease in activity levels. Researchers say it’s a great step in the right direction for a healthy lifestyle.  The problem, however, is that only 13% of children were able to walk to school in 2009. That’s compared to 49% in 1969.  Do you let your kids walk to school?

Every parents wants their child to be healthy and physically fit, but it can be hard to get your little one to exercise when they don’t want to or there is not a lot of spare time in your day.  Why not try to sneak in a little fitness with some of these tips?  These great ideas include hitting the playground, walking instead of driving, washing the car and planting a garden.

If you’re looking for some books that might help motivate your little one to get some exercise, Lil Sugar has the list for you.  Here are some children’s books about fitness, including My Daddy is a Pretzel (about yoga) and Hop a Little, Jump a Little (for toddlers).

Bodybuilding for little boys? It may seem silly, but you’d be surprised; the of number six- to eleven-year-olds joining gyms in the last few years is up, and those kids aren’t joining up to get exercise.  The desire to get bigger biceps and washboard abs is what’s driving our little ones to pump iron.  Is that healthy?  One doctor says it is… to some extent.

According to a study from the University of Buffalo, kids with the most toys get more physical activity.  The study looked at a group of children for an hour, each child had a different amount of toys.  Heart-rate and activity level were monitored and the kids with the most toys were obviously at an advantage when it came to getting more exercise.  Something to think about next time your child begs for more toys?

No parent wants to see their child become sedentary or out of shape – it can have numerous negative effects on the child’s life.  Luckily, there are some things parents can do to see to it that they’re child lives a fit and happy life.  Take a look at 10 Fitness Rules for Kids from Men’s Health.  From not relying on organized sports to do the job to turning off the TV, there’s something here that every family can adapt to.

According to a recent report from the CDC, high school kids – like most of the nation – are not getting enough exercise.  The report says that just 15% of high school students participated in an hour or more of aerobic activity each day.   The biggest difference seemed to be between the sexes – 22% of boys met the hour goal, while just 8% of girls did.

Soccer star Mia Hamm probably knows a thing or two about sports.  As the mother of twins, she probably knows a thing or two about kids.  Hamm recently shared her knowledge on both subjects with the website Lil Sugar.  In the interview, she talks about getting kids into sports, keeping them safe while playing sports, and staying healthy as a mom.

It seems as if new moms aren’t very healthy, or so says a study from the University of Minnesota.   The new mothers studied had a higher BMI, ate more calories, got less exercise, and enjoyed more junk food.   On the other hand, the study showed that having a new baby or toddler in the house didn’t really affect fathers’ health.

According to PBS Parents, yoga isn’t just for grown-ups anymore.   The practice teaches kids about their bodies, staying healthy, and having fun.   (Plus, most kids tend to be a little bit more flexible than their parents!)   Kids can practice yoga at home or at a class, with a friend or alone.

By Debbi Miller Gutierrez

A recent study conducted by Ohio State-Temple University researchers found that 20% of America’s four-year olds are not only overweight, but obese.  Though a great deal of this can be laid at the feet of poor diets, lack of exercise is also a prime culprit.  Over the past few decades, more and more U.S. children and teens are drifting toward weight gain through a sedentary lifestyle.  With many schools either reducing or eliminating their physical education programs due to impossibly tight budgets, parents are beginning to ask themselves: What can I do to get my child to exercise?  Below are five simple suggestions:

1. Nifty Fifties’ Fad: The Hula Hoop

This inexpensive toy can get your children up and moving. Watch them wiggle and wriggle their hips trying to keep the hula hoop spinning.   Set up daily or weekly goals as to the number of times they can spin the hoop without stopping or how many hula hoops they can spin at once.  Reward them with gold stars, trips to the library, or one hour of TV a day.  Better yet, challenge them to a contest.  Children love to outdo their parents and will work hard to show you up.

2. Try a Trampoline

Investing in a child-safe trampoline can be well worth the money when you see your child rushing outside to fling themselves willy-nilly on their own trampoline.  In no time at all, they’ll be bouncing back to health!

See our personalized children’s books about sports where your child becomes the star of the story.

3. Dance, Dance, Dance!

With the success of TV shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars”, children can see first-hand what fun dancing can be.  You don’t need to fly your kids all over the country for auditions.  Just put on a CD and have them put on a dancing show for you.  Or buy an inexpensive dance exercise video, or rent one from Netflix or On Demand, and away they go!

4. The Wonderful World of Wii

If your child is a video game addict, a Wii Fit might be just the ticket.  With activities from snowboarding to cheerleading, your kids can be running, jumping, swinging bats, kicking, and punching their way to fitness.  Even Jillian Michaels, the exercise guru from TV’s “The Biggest Loser”, has a Wii exercise game out that the whole family can use together.

5. Good Old Walking!

Walking is one of the best ways to get your child exercising.  It’s free, natural, and helps families bond.  Add your dog into the mix and everybody benefits.

Getting your children to exercise can have even more health benefits than weight management, stress reduction, good muscle development, and mental stimulation; it just might get their parents off the couch too!