Dr. Rob's Guide to Raising Fit Kids

Book excerpt: Written for parents concerned about their children's overall fitness, Dr. Rob's Fitness Guide for Kids addresses the importance of both food and physical activity in keeping children healthy. Gotlin sees sports, with its emphasis on playing by the rules, being a good teammate, winning and losing with grace, and working toward a common goal, as an essential route to physical, psychological, and social health. This book helps parents choose a sport or activity in which their child can find comfort and confidence. In addition to outlining the benefits of various team and individual sports, Gotlin provides detailed information about the equipment needed, safety issues, and how to create a supportive environment for young athletes. Also included are exercises developed specifically for children, age-appropriate fitness and calorie guidelines, and delicious, dietician-developed meal plans and sport-specific menus that instill a lifetime of good eating habits.