This year's best holiday gift? Inspiration to stay healthy

(ARA) - The holidays present the opportunity to show your appreciation for others. But have you ever thought about using your gifts -- particularly for your children -- as encouragement to engage in healthy living?

The holidays can present the opportunity for you to provide healthy encouragement through the benevolent act of gift giving. And as concerns about childhood obesity continue to dominate the headlines, we're starting to become more aware of the importance of encouraging children to practice healthy habits.

Today, an estimated 17 percent of children between ages 2 and 19 are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Here are a few gift ideas that can help your children become more active and avoid becoming part of that number:

* For those who live in colder regions, it can be difficult to find ways to get outside and exercise in the winter. The holidays present a wonderful time for you to purchase your children equipment that will encourage them to get out. Snowshoeing is an activity that people of all fitness levels can enjoy and snowshoes cost roughly the same as a nice pair of sneakers. Snowshoeing can allow a person to burn twice as many calories as regular walking, according to Walk About fitness magazine.

* Hunting and fishing offer a great excuse to get outside. If you have experience in either, you could buy your child some gear and offer to teach him or her a few lessons. If you don't have experience, check on community education programs or classes offered through outdoor stores in your area if your child is interested.

* If you live in an area that allows for it, buying an all-terrain vehicle that encourages your child to explore the great outdoors may also be an option. Among other things, they could use the vehicle to assist them in hunting and fishing expeditions. The Polaris Ranger RZR 170 Youth UTV model is the world's first side-by-side vehicle for youth. Children 13 and older can drive this vehicle, which allows parents to set a maximum speed. It also comes with two youth helmets.

* Video games are often seen as part of the problem when it comes to children's lack of activity, but today's systems are beginning to offer games that are specifically aimed at improving fitness. Systems with motion sensors can allow children to be led through exercise programs or guide them through yoga lessons. Others, such as sports or dancing games, also have an active component.

* With the increasing popularity of cooking shows for both adults and children, you may find that your child is interested in learning how to navigate the kitchen. Take the opportunity to buy them a cookbook featuring healthy recipes or to enroll them in a community cooking class.

When picking a gift for your child, make sure it's something that he or she is interested in, as you'll want to make sure your gift is put to good use. In the process, you may also be able to get to know your child a little better and tailor family outings around his or her active interests.