September marks National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. In a blog I wrote last year on this topic, the statistics were and continue to be quite staggering with an estimated 30 percent of all children born after the year 2000 slated to develop type II diabetes, heart disease, cancer and asthma.  And while it would be easy to turn a blind's eye to this epidemic, eventually we will all bear the cost of increase medical care and insurance premiums for these kids if parents do not take an active role in changing the course our kids are on.

With many schools limiting physical education classes, or in some cases eliminating them altogether, many kids do not even meet the minimum requirement of physical activity on a daily basis to achieve fitness benefits. As Dr. Birdie Varnedore mentioned in her recent dailySpark.com blog, we are meant to move and that includes kids as well.

So what can we do to engage our kids in leading more active lifestyles? Instead of restating the statistics, which many of us are well aware of, below are some ways we, as parents, can to help move our kids in the direction toward health and fitness.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL GYM

Last week I was talking to several trainers at my gym about this topic. They were telling me the role my gym is taking in getting kids more active by offering classes designed and targeted for kids. The gym offers martial arts programs, basic gymnastic classes, along with basketball leagues and swim classes. And with many communities having to cut back on athletic based programs for children, many parents may need to seek out guidance from their local Y or gym.

LOOK TO THE INTERNET

SparkPeople's sister site, SparkTeens is website geared towards teens age 13-17.
Similar to the popular SparkPeople.com website, SparkTeens.com provides a program designed for teens while allowing them access to information and forums where they can get support and encouragement from their fellow teammates.

For those kids under the age of 13, KidsHealth.org is a great source of information not only for children but adults and educators as well.

Let'sMove.gov is a website designed to help educate parents and kids on how to embrace healthy habits early to help offset the obesity rate and the diseases that often accompany this condition.

SPARKPEOPLE REFERENCES FOR PARENTS

While many of our members are familiar with articles and resources geared toward adults, SparkPeople also offers insightful resources for children as well. Below is a list of SparkPeople resources to help not only our children, but families in general.

A Parent's Guide to Nutrition—Part 1

A Parent's Guide to Nutrition—Part 2

The 10 Commandments of Healthy Eating for Parents

Expert Solutions: Overweight Kids

25 After-School Snack Ideas

Fun Family Fitness Ideas

Outdoor Adventures Fit for Families

14 Ways to Encourage Kids to Play Outdoors

Why Kids Need to Spend Time Outdoors

Kids Need Exercise, Too

Strength Training Guidelines for Children and Teens

Active Kids Do Better in School

Were you aware of the resources available to parents and families on the SparkPeople.com site? Are you helping your child/children to learn to embrace healthy habits early on? What do you think it will take to overturn this epidemic?