How can I get my young teen to exercise?

The most important aspect of getting kids to exercise is to make sure they're having fun, so you should work with your child's personality and fitness level in finding enjoyable things. One way to get your child to exercise is to get the family involved and plan more active outings like playing in the park, walking the dog after dinner, riding bikes or tossing a ball in the backyard. If you walk or run outside, have your child follow on a bike or skateboard.

If your child has expressed interest in any sports at school, that's another option to encourage.

And use available resources. Your community may have parks, trails, wildlife areas, playgrounds, pools and more that can offer fun ways to stay active for your kids. Getting the entire family involved and treating exercise like just another fun activity is one way to get your child—and the rest of the family—moving without applying to much pressure to participate in a rigid exercise routine.

The American Council on Exercise also provides a wealth of information on their Youth Fitness site for encouraging healthy kids and providing lots of resources for exercise, fitness and health.