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Children in America are more overweight and less active than ever before. That can put them at risk of some serious diseases, particularly diabetes.
Doctor Kim Mulvihill shows us a simple solution get kids to exercise more, and to get them started as young as possible.
These infants and toddlers are getting a jump start on leading a healthy life. They're taking part in a creative movement class at San Francisco's YMCA.
Infants start as young as six months doing a variety of exercises that help them develop coordination, strength, and creativity.
Dance and exercise expert Marion Roth-Cramer says, "Parents are looking for things that will just allow their children to be more accomplished and secure physically."
David Dart was having trouble crawling when he first started attending the class, now his mom has trouble stopping him.
And the benefits are not just physical.
David's sister Alison found more self-confidence after coming to the class.
Janine Dart, the exercising toddlers' mother says, "I have noticed better coordination and a willingness to be more curious and be more adventurous with other kids, because she is pretty shy. When she comes to Miss Marion she is very, very social compared to how she is in school."
At a time when more and more of America's children are overweight or even obese, experts say it is vital we get kids to be more active. That means starting young.. and making it fun.
The parents say they get big benefits out of the class too.. that the time they spend playing with their children helps develop a deeper bond between them.
