This blog post highlighting the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is great for sharing with your employees and customers as fun fall activities start. If your company is participating in a fall festival or another community event, you can include it as one option for family activities this month. With school back in session and sports and other after-school activities in full swing, this time of year can make family time tough to come by. But it’s also a great season for fun family activities – apple picking, nature hikes or organizing or chaperoning a field trip to a corn maze. Planning these kinds of group activities can be a great way to encourage your loved ones to exercise. We are members of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, which is working to reduce childhood obesity through a series of efforts in schools and with families. We’ve written before about their incredible programs that provide new playgrounds and physical education equipment to schools (make sure you enter your school to win)! But the foundation also encourages families to make a commitment to eat meals together and engage in physical activity as a family. At the Together Counts™ website, families can find fun tips and check out programs and events in their local area. A key part of the Together Counts program is the belief that parents have a powerful impact on the health of children. Studies show that children who eat with their families grow up to be healthier adults – they tend to eat more balanced diets and are at decreased risk of unhealthy weight control practices. One study even found that children who ate fewer family meals (and watched more television) were more likely to be overweight by the end of third grade! So take advantage of the beautiful fall weather, plan a fun activity and set aside time to eat together as a family. It’s worth it!