The fact that the weight and fitness levels of our children is a grave concern today is not news, but the creative ways the epidemic is being tackled by some parents and fitness professionals is newsworthy.

No doubt you’ve heard the facts — 15 percent of American youth are overweight and some estimates place that figure higher. That’s triple the number since the 1970s.

Obesity increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer and several other health problems at a much younger age.

A child’s best advocate is an informed, involved parent, according to Jazzercise founder Judi Sheppard Missett. Parents need not become diet counselors or personal trainers, but should be role models who have taken the time to learn about basic fitness and nutrition and can present their children with healthful food and exercise options.

Thankfully, access to consumer information about children’s fitness is easy via the Internet. Some Web sites to check are:

n www.fitnessandkids

.com — Fitness articles, equipment and other resources are offered.

n www.kidnetic.com — Nutrition and exercise are presented with interactive games.

n www.kidshealth.org — The Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media provides doctor-approved health and fitness information for children of all ages.

In addition, organizations such as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the Melpomene Institute, P.E.4Life and Joy of Sports offer information for parents and programs designed for children.

Fitness alternatives are becoming available to children, too, including activities that go beyond traditional aerobic conditioning, which doesn’t necessarily suit a child’s natural tendency to engage in short bursts of exercise followed by rest. Here are some options to consider:

n Strength training — While all children can benefit from strength training, it can be an especially positive choice for overweight children who find aerobic activity overwhelming and frustrating.

Overweight children are often stronger than their lighter-weight peers, which fosters a sense of success and accomplishment that fuels motivation.

For all children, building muscle mass will increase metabolism, as muscle burns more calories than fat. Strength training also strengthens bones, ligaments, and tendons.

n Yoga and Pilates — Classes and videos geared toward children are available for both yoga and Pilates. Children who shy away from competitive sports often find these disciplines fun.

As they gain an awareness of their own bodies, they can see personal improvements in balance, flexibility, strength, stamina and concentration. Likewise, children who participate in competitive sports find yoga and Pilates to be a nice complement to these activities.

n Dance and Jazzercise — Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found teenage girls are the least active. In fact, the amount of physical activity they get in their spare time drops by 80 percent between elementary school and late adolescence.

But most girls love to dance, and dance exercise programs, such as the Junior Jazzercise program, allow them to enjoy this activity without the constraints and expectations of a traditional dance class. These classes also provide aerobic conditioning as well as strength and flexibility training.

Introduce your children to a variety of activities and encourage them to exercise regularly. Better yet, exercise with them.

Plan family walks, bike rides and ball games. Make sure boys and girls are participating equally and are praised for doing so. You can even check out books or videotapes from the library and try some new activities at home.

Why not put on some of your children’s favorite music and dance around your living room?

Jazzercise is the world’s leading dance-fitness program with more than 6,300 instructors teaching 20,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe.

For information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call 800-FIT-IS-IT.

This article was submitted by Linda Cunningham of Jazzercise Butler.