(Left to right) Friends Allison Floyd, Sydney Ellegood and Bryson Mullins enjoy play time together at Western Baptist’s Child Development Center.

The popularity of television, video games and computers has left the children’s entertainment industry in good shape. Unfortunately, the same can’t always be said of the children themselves.

Childhood obesity is on the rise. Recent studies indicate that 11 to 25 percent of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight. Lack of exercise, sedentary behavior and poor eating habits are often to blame.

John Roach, M.D., pediatrician with Family Care of Paducah, said that it’s never too early to encourage children to lead a healthy life.

“Often, children learn by imitation,” said Roach. “Parents and caregivers should actively promote exercise, healthy eating habits and activities that require movement and motion.”

Roach said that children should get a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise a day, not including school activities. Family activities, such as walking, swimming, hiking and cycling, or organized activities, including gymnastics, soccer and softball, are excellent choices to keep children fit.

Eating healthy also is important. Roach said children should choose fruits and vegetables instead of cookies at snacktime and replace sodas and sweetened drinks with water. Meals should include healthy choices from the food pyramid.