Why is Exercise Important For Children
How Much Exercise Do Children Need?
The United States Center for Disease Control reported that in 2008, one out of every three children was considered obese. This data was troubling as it also found that 80% of children who are obese at age 10-15 years continue on to become obese adults. It is clear that in addition to proper diet, children, especially in the United States, benefit greatly when they get proper exercise. However, it is hard to know what exactly constitutes enough exercise. There are many factors to consider when determining how much physical activity children need. So why is exercise important for children.
There are a lot of different guidelines available that discuss the appropriate amount of exercise that children need. With so many guidelines coming from seemingly credible sources, like university and medical studies, even with official data, parents and guardians can still have a difficult time understanding how much exercise their kids may need. However, there are some general rules and ideas that can make reaching decisions about exercise a bit easier.
General Rules for Excercise for Children
While there is no one recommended amount of time that researchers and experts can agree upon, most studies make it clear that children need between 30-60 minutes of vigorous exercise a day, and that most kids do not get that amount of exercise. While the exact time quantification may vary, the idea that the exercise needs to be physically challenging does not. It is hard to make any child exercise continuously even at the 30 minute marker as kids do not generally take to workout regimens like cardio training on treadmills the way adults do.
Discover What Activity Children Like to Do
However, team sports, gymnastics, and the recent advent of physical games kids can play on game consoles that involve activities kids find entertaining, like dancing, can achieve that goal without making exercise seem tedious. The console games also have the benefit of incorporating one of the societal trends that have reduced children’s activity levels – playing video games indoors – and using it to promote fitness. It is key that parents and teachers help a child discover the sort of physical activity that appeals to them most, as the more the activity appeals to the child, the more likely they are to do it. When exercise becomes a chore, it becomes something children try to avoid.
Daily Exercise Routines for Children Help
Daily exercise for children helps reduce the severity of childhood obesity but it also has other positive effects. Children who develop type-2 diabetes find a reduction in symptoms and kids who exercise are less likely to develop the condition. Kids who exercise more have increased bone density while experiencing a decrease in HDL cholesterol levels. Some children who exercise daily also report a decrease in depression, anxiety, and allergies. The jury is still out on whether or not exercise improves classroom performance or helps with attention and focus issues. Still, some who have studied the psychological impact of exercise, especially team sports, have found that kids who exercise in this manner have improved confidence, which will spill over into all other aspects of their lives.
