You would be hard pressed to find a parenting magazine, a news or talk program without some sort of reference on the topic of childhood obesity. 

Theories abound about what we should do about this, but the bottom line is that parents need to get their kids to play outside, and exercising more often.

Think about it, and compare your childhood to your children, or grandchildren. No doubt they all spent a great deal of their time running around and playing outside on every weekend day. I did not have the high tech games and toys that kids have now.

You probably spent all of the time you could outdoors in order to avoid household chores. It was much more fun riding bikes, playing kickball or softball, or just having fun while playing outdoors.

By now, nearly everyone has become aware that there is an obesity epidemic among children. It may not happen after they had been playing outside and having fun. Summers, and days off from school, were for having fun outside. 

Do your kids, or grandchildren, act like that? Or do they spend a lot of time watching television, in front of the computer and video games? Do many prefer playing video games, rather than asking to play at a park?

Parents and grandparents need to help kids become more interested in exercise, and the idea of often playing outside. This could help to fight an obesity epidemic.

There are ideas my daughter and son-in-law have been trying. They want to get our grandsons more interested in the great outdoors. It is not  that the grandsons are obese. Yet we want them, and other children, not to end up that way either.

It might be helpful to purchase some new outdoor gear for the boys, and for active girls as well. 

Surprisingly, there are some great deals for outdoor toys and sporting goods. My son-in-law found a tetherball set (with an extra-large tetherball) for less than $25. 

Also, you might want to get a Badminton/Volleyball set. You can even play it without a net, if necessary. Of course, you might need a few extra birdies if some have been stuck in the trees.

They have also tried planning more outdoor activities as a reward. Visiting parks and playgrounds is a big hit. They also plan on going bowling, and playing at a mini golf course.

My wife and I are trying to be wise about buying for the grandkids. As grandparents, we are supposed to spoil the boys a little. 

However, we also are trying to make sure that the gifts that we purchase for the boys are going to help keep them to be even more active. 

The boys really like baseballs and bats. They got sleds last winter. Damien’s birthday gift was a bicycle – and one for brother Alexander too in order to prevent a fight. They even have name tags on them in case of any problems.

One other thing people need to do is to watch what kids eat.

You can get some things that are not too bad calorie wise, if we can get our kids to eat them. We do need our family to eat more healthy foods.

Experts say the best way to get kids interested in physical fitness is to become interested in exercise. However, so far no one in the family is yet eagerly inclined to go running or to head to the gym.

Reach Paul R. Harbaugh at prharbaugh@hotmail.com