Benefits Of Exercise For Children

With all the video games, television, computers, etc., it’s no

surprise children are becoming overweight and inactive. It is important to educate younger children about the

importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. Regardless of what age your child is ,some form of physical activity is more important than you can possibly imagine. Kids  need physical activity to build strength, coordination, and confidence – and to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. School-age kids should have many chances to participate in a variety of activities, sports, and games that fit for their personality, ability, age, and interests. Brainstorm with your kids on activities that feel right. Most kids won’t mind a daily dose of fitness as long as it’s fun.

Physical activity guidelines for school-age kids recommend that each day they:

• Get 1 hour or more of moderate and vigorous physical activity on most or all days
• participate in several bouts of physical activity of 15 minutes or more each day
• avoid periods of inactivity of 2 hours or more unless sleeping

To emphasize once again the importance of exercise, I have put together some of the health benefits an active child can expect.

Exercise Improves Physical Health

Long-term health benefits of exercise are:

• A stronger immune system! The body’s ability to fight disease is improved. Children are less prone to colds, allergies, and diseases, including cancer.
• A reduction of type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity and improving carbohydrate metabolism.
• A lower blood pressure and an improvement of the child’s cholesterol profile.
• A strengthening of the entire cardiovascular system, including the heart and lungs. The heart develops a higher “pump-activity” while the child’s heart and lungs are strengthened, supporting the prevention of heart disease.
• Children are less likely to become overweight and will have better control of their body fat. Overweight children are able to reduce their body weight and body fat due to the physiological effect of burning fat while exercising.
• Children develop stronger bone structure and muscle structure.

Active children enjoy additional health benefits, because:

• Exercise increases the blood flow to all body tissues, including the brain. Greater blood flow transports more oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells.
• Active children improve their body’s ability to absorb oxygen through aerobic exercise. Due to the increased oxygen in their body’s cells they feel more energized. More oxygen translates into more energy!
• Increased blood flow promotes the body’s transportation of the byproducts of metabolism and toxins back from the cells for elimination, recycling, or further use elsewhere. Children who exercise feel fitter and more energized because of their body’s ability to detoxify.
• Active children breathe better and sweat more. Breathing and sweating are great ways to detoxify the body and help it keep itself “clean.”

Exercise Improves Mental Health

• Exercise enhances the brain’s metabolism. Studies show that active children have improved memory as a result of better brain function. Moderate, fun-oriented exercise literally burns off excess harmful hormones and, at the same time, increases the release of beneficial ones. One of the beneficial hormones acts as neurotransmitter for establishing new memories.
• Active children have the ability to concentrate much better, even at the end of a long school day.
• Studies report that exercise decreases anxiety, reduces depression, and improves mood and outlook in children. In addition, their quality of sleep is improved.

Perhaps most importantly, physical activity develops children’s self-esteem and confidence. Their ability to overcome challenging situations improves and they simply enjoy a better, sunnier outlook on life. In addition, our adolescent children can develop further social skills such as leadership and empathy.

To parents and educators: Your efforts to encourage our children to exercise more and instill in them the wisdom of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle will yield years of dividends in these young people’s lives. (…and the benefits mentioned are for adults too.)

To YOU CHILDREN: I wish you enjoyment of all your outdoor activities, your exercise, and your school! We are always with you!