Why is physical activity important for children?

I believe physical activity gives children a chance to succeed in life.  Being healthy creates confidence and self-esteem.  These are very important to children throughout life.  If they have the confidence and self-esteem, they will make better decisions and have the tools to resolve conflicts throughout life.

Physical activity is so important for children.  It is the best way for them to keep on track for those major milestones like skipping, hopping and bounding.  When they learn these and other tasks, they are not just learning a motion, but building a strong foundation for their bodies as they develop.  This foundation includes core, balance and coordination.  This will be helpful when joining in sports and other lifelong activities.

They need to unwind, unstress and have some fun.  By having them engage in physical activity they are more likely to focus in class and sleep better at night.  Joining in physical activity can give them a sence of belonging by being part of a team.

Unfortunatly, most children do not engage in physical activity and youth obseity has become an issue for American children.  This can lead to several health concerns including but not limited to diabetes and high blood pressure.

So encourage them to try new activities.  Let them find out what they like to do.  It could help them stay active well into adulthood.

Physically active children have a greater chance of being fit and active adults than their inactive peers. Unfortunately, children today are less fit than they were a generation ago and that is causing many youth to have problems that were typically reserved for adults like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and Type II Diabetes. Children learn best by example, which is why I often recommend that parents model the behavior they want for their children by participating in physical activity themselves. They can also create family-friendly events such as family sporting events, bike riding and more.

Given the alarming increase in childhood obesity and diabetes, physical fitness is more important than ever for today's youth. Current recommendations state that children and adolescents should exercise a minimum of 60 minutes per day. Physical activity helps build and maintain healthy bones, joints, muscles, in addition to improving aerobic fitness, coordination, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Physical activity also reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and helps children gain confidence and positive self-esteem they can take with them into adulthood.

Keeping a child physically active will allow for a better life for them as they get older. Engaging in simple movements such as walking, jogging, hopping, climbing the jungle gym or playing a sport will teach these children the health benefits of staying active. Our nation is very sedentary which is leading to an unhealthy nation. Our children need to have at least 30-60 minutes every day of physical activity. It's a great way for them to release all that pent up energy.

If we encourage our children to be active when they are young they have a better chance of being active as they get older.  

Being active is as important to our bodies as is food. If we teach healthy habits early we set the foundation for a life of health.

Physical activity is good for children in many of the same ways that it is good for adults. Exercise improves blood pressure, blood sugar levels, sleep, mood and confidence.

In addition, kids doing exercise while young helps them meet their developmental milestones. For example, monitored tummy time as a young baby helps develop the core muscles which will allow them to sit later. Once they are sitting, they can begin pulling up on things which will allow them to gain muscle strength in their legs. This leads to walking. Walking turns into running. This process started with simple tummy time.

Physical activity is important for children, as it helps keep them at a healthy weight, preventing many health problems that can come with being overweight, such as diabetes. It is recommended that children exercise an hour a day.

Regular physical activity is the best way to prevent weight gain and potentially fatal diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke, so I make a point to ask my patients what they’re doing to get their hearts pumping. For the most part, young kids have no trouble staying active. However, I find that older children and adolescents who aren’t involved in organized sports often fall short on physical activity. In fact, I just read that one in three teens is too out of shape to complete a simple treadmill fitness test. That’s not good. I don’t want any of my patients or your child to be a fitness failure.

From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

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