"Obesity rates are soaring among Canadian children" There is a good chance that you have read or heard some form of the above statement in your local paper or on the six o'clock news. In fact, concern is mounting that while the education system has gone through reforms and accomplished significant improvements in quality, physical education programs have been decreased or eliminated all together. Children are just not receiving an adequate supply of regular, vigorous activity.

The government of Canada has even developed in incentive for tax payers to sign their children up for a fitness program with the "fitness tax", which enables parents to claim up to $500 per year (for each child) from their annual income for eligible fitness expenses.

Need some more incentives? Physical exercise is crucial to kids' healthy development. Here are just some of the benefits;

• Daily physical activity is good for the health of bones, reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis in the future.
• The rising obesity levels are directly related to a lack of physical activity. Obesity exponentially raises the risk of cardiovascular disease. In those cases, physical activity can literally save lives.
• Physical activity boosts endorphin levels and thus improves children's emotional and psychological well-being.
• Physical activity is also credited with improving mental health in children and boosting intelligence.
• A connection has been made between physical activity and increased attention spans, thus improving children's academic performance and generally enhancing children's school experience.
• Healthy habits formed in childhood carry over to adult years, decreasing the chance that a child will take up smoking, drugs or other unhealthy habits in the future.
• Belonging and participating in a fitness program is shown to improve the behaviour and life-style choices for teenagers.
• A healthier future generation will also benefit the taxpayers by reducing health care costs for everyone!

There are a lot of activities available! To increase the chances of enjoyment and success, pick an activity that everyone enjoys and that is relatively easy to fit into your schedule. Some children will enjoy a structured program like a soccer team or a dance studio for example, while others are happy to just play tag around the playground or go for a family bike ride. If they are having fun, it's more likely they will stick with it!