Karen Pascal of Summerville grew up playing outside, and that's what she wants for her children as well.

Her family is constantly on the move.

Between supporting each other at various sporting events to running and playing together in the backyard, staying physically fit isn't a struggle for them it's simply a way of life.

Caroline, 12, Kevin, 9, and twins Madison and Lauren, 4, are involved in volleyball, softball, baseball, swim team, karate, judo, soccer and more.

But this active family of six is involved in more than just organized sports. Pascal says her ultimate goal is to raise four healthy, well-rounded children.

"We want them to be doing other activities that keep them physically fit, like bike riding. They go outside and play a lot. That's how we were raised, and that's how we raise our kids, too."

Janis Newton, a physical trainer with the Harper Student Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, says Pascal is on the right track. Newton says parents are responsible for instilling healthy attitudes about wellness, fitness and nutrition in their children early on. This will help their children throughout their lives.

"If you happen to have a child that is overweight, you have to understand that 80 percent of them will stay overweight as adults," Newton says. "And that's going to put them at risk for medical problems and self-esteem problems."

And there is no distinction between families that have overweight kids versus the ones that don't, she says.

"Every child no matter what weight they are needs the same fitness intervention. Whether you have an overweight child or not, parents have the exact same responsibility for their kids' physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle habits."

Set a good example

Newton, who runs a boot camp for kids at MUSC, says parents should lead by example and view teaching them how to be healthy as one of the most important gifts they can give their children.

"Parents have tremendous influence on their children's attitudes. It is so important that you truly understand your power of how you can teach your kids that that is their job and they really have to do that if they're going to reach their potential mentally and physically."

If a parent doesn't prioritize fitness, the child will see that and view it the same way putting it off because of time restraints or making other excuses to not be active.

"It's got to be one of the most important things you do as a family," Newton says.

Charleston offers many opportunities to get outside and be active, "but it's got to start with your own attitudes toward wellness, fitness and nutrition. If it's important to you, it's going to be important to your child."

Get moving

Pascal says leading an active lifestyle has many benefits; her family not only stays physically healthy but also spends time together. Her children also are learning important life lessons, like teamwork and making friends.

Davita Ivey, owner of Davita's Funtastic Gymnastics in Ladson, agrees and says being active as a group brings her family closer together as well, and helps her children succeed in other areas of their lives, including school.

"They need a balance," Ivey says. "Our world is too technical, and it's too easy for them to sit in front of the TV and play video games or [talk] on their cell phones."

From her experience raising six children and as a gymnastics coach for more than 32 years, Ivey says parents should get up and out and spend time doing physical activities together.

She and her family go to Wannamaker

Park and ride bikes when they have time off.

"They have nice trails. Take your bikes and ride."

Ivey also suggests bowling or visiting a place like a zoo where walking is required.

"Kids don't know how to play now, which means they're growing up way too fast. My kids do gymnastics, of course, but we make sure we play together because childhood happens way too fast and then it's over."

Chris Cannavaro, owner of The Little Gym in Summerville and a former competitive swimmer, spends a lot of time in the pool with his sons Joe, 7, and Mark, 5, during summer months.

"The biggest thing is to foster an appreciation for fitness by playing with your child not just watch them play," Cannavaro says. "Kick the soccer ball back and forth or get on the playground equipment with them."

And it's not just about a child's physical development; it's the child's overall wellness, Cannavaro says. The physical is well-tied to everything else.

Competitive sports

Cannavaro says establishing a positive self-image well before a child becomes involved in competitive sports is important. This might prevent her being turned off by physical activity because she's not the winner.

Cannavaro was able to find noncompetitive programs for his sons, such as football and Little League. "They don't push the competitive aspect at that age."

He wants his children to be carefree as long as possible.

"They're going to be involved in competitive activities and sports and just the competition of life. You can't really avoid it."

Newton agrees, but also says simply involving a child in a sport isn't enough. Parents still must take an active role in teaching children about being healthy.

"If you have a child that plays sports and isn't overweight, you still haven't done your job if you're not teaching them lifestyle habits and doing fun active things with your family. Just because your child isn't overweight is not an indication that they are healthy or fit or that they are going to be healthy or fit adults."

Newton says parents should initiate an attitude and mentality from a young age to keep their kids healthy.

"There's nothing wrong with organized sports. But if that's what you're looking for to keep your kid fit, you're barking up the wrong tree. You do not enroll kids in sports in order to keep a kid fit."

Get active

Getting physically fit doesn't have to be an exercise workout, says Janis Newton, physical trainer with the Harper Student Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. And it's got to be fun to keep children engaged. If it's not, they're never going to want to do it again, Newton says.

Here are some easy tips to getting exercise without even knowing it.

Take the stairs. Try counting each step while walking.

Take a walk. Be curious. Explore. Look for leaves.

Go for a bike ride.Stop in a field and play a game.