Teach your kids some healthy habits
The electronic era we live in might have parents believing that the days of children playing outside for hours on end are gone - but they don't have to be.
According to the Heart Foundation's director of cardiovascular health, Trevor Shilton, parents should encourage their children to get outside more.
"There is nothing inherent in our children that makes them sedentary," he said. "It is the environment and restrictions put in place by adults that is the problem.
"If a child goes outside, they will naturally find a stick, leaf, bug or friend and they will play. Likewise, if a child is sat in front of a screen, they are seldom less active or more socially disengaged."
The Heart Foundation's senior manager of physical activity and healthy weight, Clover Maitland, said that most children were not active enough.
"The Australian physical activity guidelines for children and young people recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day; and no more than two hours a day using electronic media for entertainment, especially during daylight hours," she said.
Parents could pass on healthy habits to their children by being good role models, said Ms Maitland.
"Be physically active yourself and switch off the TV and other electronic equipment," she said.
"Also monitor electronic media. Make children's bedrooms a screen-free zone and put rules in place to limit electronic media use.
"Support your child to participate in organised sport and recreation, walk or ride to school, and get outdoors during daylight hours."
She added that physical activity for children should be fun, social and help kids to learn and develop skills.
"Informal outdoor play and family activities, such as going to the park, bush walks or bike rides, are good ways to be active," she said.
"By trying a range of recreation activities, including traditional sports and other recreation activities, there is more chance of finding something your child enjoys.
"Skateboarding, dancing, bike riding and walking the dog are all popular informal activities for kids."
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