Regarding your article on Jan. 13 “Help Kids Get Fit,” it’s we adults who have made our children fat, unhealthy and unfit. We’ve created a world of danger, threat and fear for them instead of one of play, joy and freedom. So we keep them safely indoors in front of the TV or playing with their electronic toys while feeding them french fries, burgers, pizzas and sugar drinks.

Our pre-K and other early programs keep even 3- and 4-year-olds in a room most of the day instead of letting them be children and run around and play outside as little kids were born to do.

So, the best way we adults can help kids “get fit” is to let them get fit on their own. With some supervision, of course, we let them loose in a gym or playground with soccer balls, hula hoops, jump ropes; or we just let them run around and have fun. They do this without organized, structured, adult-like “fitness programs” run by “certified trainers” or “sports coaches.”

Also, we adults should live fit, energetic, healthy lives ourselves so our children and grandchildren will have role models to emulate.

By the way, I’m a 72-year-old runner and marathoner with 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. I practice every day what I’ve written here.

JERRY GILL
Hertford