Harness the natural energy of your children and help them develop lifelong healthy habits to keep active.

The best way to encourage your children to be active is by setting a good example. There are many ways you can model good health behaviors for your children, while also getting some health benefits yourself. Here are some ideas:

• Put your very young child in a stroller and go for a walk. Or strap your child into a bicycle carrier with a helmet and go for a ride.
  
• If your child can ride a bicycle, jog alongside or get on your own bicycle.
  
• Limit the amount of time you watch television. By doing this, you will find it easier to limit the amount of time your child watches TV, movies, or video and computer games. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of two hours of viewing time for children each day.
  
• Stretch or exercise while watching TV.
  
• Engage the whole family in physical activities, like Frisbee, playing catch, hiking, gardening, swimming, or rollerblading.
  
• Sign up yourself for exercise classes like kickboxing or join a sports team. Then sign your children up for classes or team sports.
  
• Give children rewards, such as a basketball, that encourage them to be more active.

The federal government's dietary guidelines suggest that children and teens should be physically active at least 60 minutes on most days, if not every day.

For cancer prevention, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) advises everyone to get an hour of moderate activity a day, like walking, and an hour of vigorous exercise a week, like jogging.

If you're an adult in need of inspiration and motivation to get active, AICR has a brochure for you. Call 1-800-843-8114, ext. 111, to request your free copy of Getting Active, Staying Active.

Source: Ever Green, Ever Healthy Featuresby the American Institute for Cancer Research, www.aicr.org.