Much as the family dinner is one of the best ways to stay connected with your kids, being active together as a family provides an equally powerful bonding experience that can help your children be healthier. Nancy Zises, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician at Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation, explains that children who have fun running, playing, bicycling and practicing sports with their families are more likely to get adequate amounts of exercise both now and when they are grown up.
“Know that the best possible way to encourage your child to exercise is to set a good example yourself – your child wants to do and be like you,” Dr. Zises says. “Your level of activity will dictate how active he or she is now and will help your child establish healthy exercise habits for life.”