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Suzanne Harrison

Keeping children active is not just a healthy and fun approach to family life that can stave off obesity and future problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It can also help children perform better at school.
Research on the cognitive benefits of keeping children active is increasingly being reported around the world. At the universities of Leeds and Aberdeen in Britain, researchers found that children who did moderately intensive exercise scored significantly better in concentration tests than those who didn't. 
'It also raises the question of how much the often-reported decline in children's attention spans in modern-day life stems from a lack of physical exercise,' says Dr Justin Williams, a senior lecturer in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Aberdeen.  
Last year, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois did a study of nine- and 10-year-olds using magnetic resonance imaging. After determining their fitness levels with a treadmill test, they were given a cognitive challenge. Fit children were found to have larger basal ganglia, the part of the brain that aids in keeping attention and the ability to co-ordinate actions and thoughts crisply.
Recent figures indicate that youngsters in Hong Kong aren't exercising enough. The University of Hong Kong reported that 35 per cent of those aged 13 to 20 suffered from spinal disc degeneration, of whom 93 per cent had lower back pain. And 20 per cent of children between six years old and 18 years old were overweight or obese in 2008-09, according to the Health Department.
Heather Thomas Shalabi, Pilates instructor and co-director of Flex Studio, says posture problems and a lifetime of back pain can be avoided if parents take action beforehand. 'Engaging in regular physical activity as a child usually means you will have good habits for life. Plus, it's fun and helps them let off steam. This sets them up for a healthy, happier future,' she says.
A family effort is ideal. Davide Butson-Fiori, founder of Circuit25 outdoor training, says: 'It's time parents became an example to their children. They need to get physical and get outside together.'
With the holidays here, it's the perfect time to try these activities.
 English Schools Foundation (ESF) Sports Programme
 www.esf.org.hk, tel: 2711 1280 
 Held after school in 20 locations, the programme oversees 4,000  children participating in weekly activities such as swimming, tennis,  tae kwon do, gymnastics, basketball and netball. Non-ESF students may join in. For the holidays, there are camps that allow children to try a range of sports, and sports clinics that build on basic skills such as running, jumping, catching and kicking. 
 Treasure Island
 www.treasureislandhk.com, tel: 2546 3542
 Its Surf Camps for children are an ideal way to get moving, learn a new skill, make friends and build confidence in the water. Held at Pui O Beach, Lantau, the safe and gentle waves are suitable for all levels, but participants need to be competent swimmers and comfortable in the water. The day camps run from Monday to Friday, and include daily surf lessons and activities such as surf safety, ocean awareness and beach games.
 Flex Studio
 www.flexhk.com, tel: 2813 2212
 Its summer camp for pre-teens and younger children combines exercise with creativity. Instructors will teach singing, dancing and acting, yoga and Pilates, which develop physical and social skills, and confidence. The camp is designed to provide a basic foundation across these disciplines, giving  children the tools to explore further.
 Circuit25 Families
 www.thecircuit25.com, tel: 2501 0922
 Bond with family members through 90 minutes of play-based activities that will not only provide a full-body workout, but also promote camaraderie and emotional grounding. The trainers will go to you on the day and time of your choice, to provide a personal programme to suit the fitness level of your family. Every class can fit up to three families of five members each.



Plunge into exercise and stay focused