This is the rhyme we used to chant when skipping as fast as we could.

Our parents and grandparents remember the good old days. In the early 1930s being active was the way of life. You either walked or rode a push-bike wherever you wanted to go; if you were very lucky, you rode a horse and buggy or the train.

Skipping, rounders, swimming, jacks, tops and marbles were some of the popular activities. Young people had to be creative; a skipping rope was a piece of morning glory vine and to play marbles, you had to break open a drink bottle to get out the marble stopper.

Other popular games throughout the years included Red Rover, Red Rover; 1,2,3 red light; what's the time Mr. Woolfy?; Hop Scotch; 1,2,3 O'Larry (bouncing a tennis ball combined with actions such as passing your leg over the bouncing ball); tag; hide and seek and Chinese skip rope.

Do you remember playing any of these games? Today's children have state-of-the-art skipping ropes and take automated travel for granted.

Computers and video games have taken over from skipping, marbles, tops and jacks.

The games that used to be symbolic of the seasons are a lost tradition.

Children are less active and expect to be entertained rather than making their own play.

It is no wonder that the incidence of overweight and obesity has increased drastically in our young people.

A study of heights and weights of Bermuda school children indicated that overweight and obesity has increased by four percent in the ten years from 1981 to 1991.

Overweight and obesity increased from 37 percent to 40.5 percent in girls and from 27.75 percent to 30.8 percent in boys in 1991; one out of five or 20 percent of 15-year-olds were obese. The increase in weight in these children occurred after the age of ten.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is making play and exercise a regular, enjoyable part of your child's life.

Children love to play, so encourage your child to play more and limit the amount of time they spend watching TV and playing video games.

Limit viewing/playing time to one to two hours a day.

Your child will not get adequate exercise during the school day; it is up to you to ensure he gets additional exercise.

Talk to your child about the importance of activity and join in with him to make fitness fun. Your child needs additional activity a minimum of three times a week -- the more often, the better! To do this: encourage individual life time pursuits such as walking, swimming, ballet, dance, karate. Set an example yourself.

Teach your child some of the games you used to play; try some of those listed above.

Plan active household chores your child can do, such as sweeping the porch, raking leaves, watering plants and peeling vegetables.

Your attitude, effort and guidance are vital to help your child get the maximum physical and mental benefits of any activity.

Expose your child to as many different activities as possible so he can find fitness is fun and see how good it makes him feel.

It is never too late for you and your family to make a commitment to a healthy active lifestyle. So why not start today? HULA HOOPS -- Make play and exercise a regular, enjoyable part of your child's life. Unfortunately computer and video games have taken over from popular games in the past like hula hooping, skipping and `Hop Scotch'.