It’s a given that maintaining an active lifestyle not only improves quality of life, but it’s also a much cheaper alternative to fighting and preventing illness. However, staying active is often easier said than done.

Dr. Barbara Bushman, professor of kinesiology at Missouri State University, offers her insight to WalletHub about how local communities can encourage active lifestyles among residents, how people can maintain a healthy lifestyle on a budget and how parents can help their children become more active to combat obesity.