Fatproof your childen with health and fitness facts and strategies from New Idea's resident Ironman legend, Guy Leech.

As a parent of two, the issue of kids and activity is one close to my heart. We parents have a great responsibility here. Children who are active have leaner bodies, stronger bones and muscles, improved posture and coordination, and will have fewer health problems as adults. They also concentrate better at school, have increased self-esteem and are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.
Unfortunately today's children live in a world where it's easy to be sedentary and more difficult to be active. The obesity epidemic could mean that our kids will be the first generation in history to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.
But this outcome can be averted. Here are 10 great strategies you can try with your kids.

PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS
Remember there are different motivations for being active - adults are usually trying to stay in shape while kids just want to have fun. Throwing a ball around or playing hide and seek are ways to both bond and keep them active.

BE A GREAT ROLE
Kids with active parents are generally active themselves. Similarly, those whose parents watch a lot of TV will be more likely to overdose on TV time themselves. Lead by example.

LIMIT SCREEN TIME
Every two hours of TV watching or computer games per day increases your child's risk of obesity by 25 per cent and diabetes by 10 per cent. It's critical you regulate the time your kids spend watching TV or playing computer games. Limit all screen time to two hours per day.

ORGANISED FUN
Organised sport means regular activity while teaching teamwork. Camps and retreats can build independence while getting kids moving.

WATER FUN
Australians are lucky. Our stunning beaches, pools, lakes, rivers and even sprinklers (when we're allowed to use them) can be a great source of fun. Swimming, surfing, kayaking, water-skiing and wakeboarding are just a few fun ways to get fit.

GET LOCATION SMART
Your environment offers lots of family activity opportunities. Research the local area and look for cycle-ways to explore, any water playgrounds at your local swimming centre or free outdoor gyms (for fun family circuit training).

CREATE ADVENTURES
As we all know, kids have wonderful imaginations and love using them, so create adventures. Instead of simply going for a walk, which your child may find boring, challenge them to climb rocks, find animals or catch tadpoles in creeks. Make an outdoor obstacle course at home and have them try to beat their own time around it.

TAP IN TO TRENDS
To build appeal, why not mimic Survivor by designing a challenge involving a treasure map, clues and physical tasks. Football is also more popular than ever thanks to the Socceroos. Consider challenging another family to a match.

GIVE THEM THE POWER
Suggest several activities to your children and let them make the decision about what to do. Giving them a sense of ownership means they'll view the activity more positively.

ACCEPT YOUR CHILD
It's harmful to put pressure on your kids by using judgemental language about their weight or perceived lack of fitness, exercise or skills. Teach them that physical activity is a normal part of healthy living rather than a goal.

What activities do you do with your children to keep them fit?

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