Why don't children get enough exercise?

Today, children don't get the physical activity they need. This could be the first generation of children in history whose life expectancy is less than that of their parents. Many schools have dropped or reduced their physical education programs, and a recent study shows that 92 percent of elementary schools do not provide daily physical education classes. Our children do not have disciplined times of the day for exercise and activity. Our technological world is also a culprit in luring our children to sit in front of a variety of electronic gadgets whose numbers continue to grow each day. A survey of youth ages 8 to 18 shows their daily activities as follows:

• Watching television: 3 hours 51 minutes
• Using the computer: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Playing video games: 49 minutes
• Reading: 43 minutes

More than two-thirds (68 percent) of children have a television in their bedrooms. These children watch one hour and half more TV than those without a television in their room. Thirty-one percent of children have a computer in their rooms, and they use it 45 minutes a day more than the children without a computer in their bedroom. I believe this technological sedentary lifestyle can lead to the isolation of our children at a time in their lives when they especially need guidance, mentoring, supervision, and exercise. Every home should have a computer area or a computer room. Many families I have worked with have made a closet into the computer room or moved the computer to an extra bedroom or basement.

There are many reasons why children do not get enough exercise. Sometimes they lack a safe place to play or someone to watch them outside. Other times, it is simply not a family priority. If parents do not exercise, children are less likely to exercise. 

Two of the best ways to encourage at least sixty minutes of daily exercise for your children are exercising with them or involving them in a group sport. There are benefits to each of these activities. By exercising with the family, everyone benefits. By taking the group sport approach they are both active and learning social skills.

There are several reasons children are not getting enough exercise. One reason is the advent of modern technology. Video games and television are taking away what used to be considered traditional “play-time.” Further, these are activities often performed for hours indoors, without burning many calories. Children should be encouraged to get at least an hour of vigorous exercise on a daily basis. This play-time is important for youths to develop motor skills required in daily activity and sports.