1. Exercising together as a family has manybenefits.

2. Your children can achieve ahealthy weight. 3. Childhood obesity is the #1 healthconcern among parents in the UnitedStates, topping drug abuse and smoking. 1 4. Exercising as a family can help prevent childhood obesity bysetting a good example for your children. 2 5. Obese children are at risk of developing type 2diabetes, hypertension,low self esteem, negative body image, and depression. 1 6. Overweight children have a 70-80%chance of staying overweight their entirelives. 1 7. Physical activity establishes good heart-healthy habits in children and countersconditions that lead to heart attacks andstrokes later in life. 1 8. Parents can also loseweight. 9. Obese and overweight adults now out number those at a healthyweight, nearly 7 in 10 U.S.adults areoverweight or obese. 1 10. Sedentary adults are at risk for obesity as well as developingcardiovascular disease, type 2diabetes, and cancer. 3 11. There is strong scientific evidenceindicating that physical activity is beneficial to cardiovascular health in preventing theonset of coronary artery disease anddecreasing the risk of developing hypertension and type 2 diabetes.4 12. There are many other benefits tostaying active as a family other then maintaining a healthy weight. 13. Participating in regular physicalactivity is associated withimproved mental health and well- being. 5 14. Increasing physical activity promotesenthusiasm, optimism, and adequate sleep. 1 15. Engaging in physical activity canhelp relieve chronic pain and increase mobility for adults.6Exercise has also shown to relieve fatigue.7 16. Why is it beneficial to do physical activities as afamily? 17. Families get to spend a little extra time together while staying healthy.I do think it promotes family life, it gets us to talk, it getsus to feel better and it gives me, as a parent, time tolisten to them as wellif you actually make time to go and do something with the children, like even just walk to school its amazing what you can listen to and talk about with them at the time A Mother. 5 18. According to the American Heart Association, physicalactivity is anything that makesyou move your body and burn calories.1 19. The Center for Disease Control and PreventionRecommends Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more ofphysical activity per day Adults should do 2 hours and 30 minutes of physical activity perweek These activities can be broken down in 10 to 15 minute incrementsat a time 3 20. In spite of the many benefits of staying active as a family,sometimes there are some obstaclesthat just get in the way. 21. Busy lifestyles can make it difficult to find time to exercise as a family. 22. Planning activities byusing a family calendar will help you to find time toincorporate family activitiesinto your busy schedules. 8 23. Familyactivities canbe costly. 24. Some inexpensive options for family activitiesare Dancing in the home Swimming at free public beaches Family bike rides or hikes Playing hide-and-seek outside Playing backyard ball games Walking the family dog Putting together a garden Doing household chores Playing in the park 5 25. Sometimes it can be difficult to bemotivated to add physical activity intoyour life. You and your children may belacking in motivation or self-esteem. 26. I dont get pleasure fromrunning or being in the gym or anything like that, but when I am doing things with thefamily there is a realsatisfaction about that, and thats a real feel good thing.A quote from a high schoolmother who gets enjoymentfrom doing family activities. 5 27. How to motivate your family to become active Modeling healthy behavior Verbal praise Continued social supportYour childs positive perception of their own capabilitiesincreases their likely hood to commit to a lifestyle of physicalactivity. 9 28. Parents can encourage children by rewardingpositive behavior with praise and specialprivileges as rewards for reaching specific goals. For example keeping a record of metgoals with stickers on a calendar will help motivate each family member. 2 29. Whatever you choose to do,remember to get out there and have fun getting healthy as afamily! 30. References1.Getting Healthy. (n.d.). Retrieved from American Heart Association :http://www.americanheart.org2.Rabbitt, A. & Coyne, I. (2012). Childhood obesity: nurses role in addressing theepidemic. British Journal of Nursing, 21(12), 731-735.3.Physical Activity. (n.d.). Retrieved from Center for Disease control and Prevention:http://www.cdc.gov4.Barrett, E. M., Darker, C. D., & Hussey, J. (2013). Promotion of physical activity inprimary care: knowledge and practice of general practitioners and physiotherapists. JPublic Health, 21, 63-69. doi:10.1007/s10389-012-0512-05.Thompson, J. L., Jago, R., Brockman, R., Cartwright, K., Page, A. S., & Fox, K. R.(2009). Physically active families-de-bunking the myth? a qualitative study of familyparticipation in physical activity. Child: care, health, and development, 36(2), 265-274.doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01051.x 31. 6.Tse, M. M., Wan, V. T., & Ho, S. S. (2011). Physical exercise: does it help in relievingpain and increasing mobility among older adults with chronic pain? Journal of ClinicalNursing, 20, 635-644. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03548.x7.Coleman, E. A., Goodwin, J. A., Kennedy, R., Coon, S. K., Richards, K., Enderlin,C., ...Anaissie, E. J. (2012). Effects of exercise on fatigue, sleep, and performance: arandomized trial. Oncology Nursing Forum, 39(5), 468-477.8.Rhodes, R. E., Naylor, P. J., & McKay, H. A. (2010). Pilot study of a family physicalactivity planning intervention among parents and their children. J Behav Med, 33, 91-100. doi:10.1007/s10865-009-9237-09.Hartweg, D. L. (1990). Health promotion self-care within orems general theory ofnursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 15, 35-41.