Your Child Needs Exercise

More and more parents today are advised to monitor their children’s body mass index (height-to-weight ratio) as the obesity epidemic among children ages 6-19 is on a scary increase and almost quadruple what it was in the late 1960s. Physical activity will not only help today’s children by preventing them from becoming obese or helping them to lose weight if necessary, it will also teach them healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Here are ACE’s top reasons children should get plenty of exercise:

1. Children who exercise are more likely to keep exercising as adults.
2. Exercise helps children achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
3. Regular physical activity helps build and maintain strong, healthy muscles, bones and joints. 
4. Exercise aids in the development of important interpersonal skills—this is especially true for participation in team sports. 
5. Exercise improves the quantity and quality of sleep. 
6. Research shows that exercise promotes improved school attendance and enhances academic performance.
7. Children who exercise have greater self-esteem and better self-images.
8. Participating in regular physical activity prevents or delays the development of many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension) and promotes health.
9. Children who are active report fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression and a better overall mood.
10. Exercise helps improve motor coordination and enhances the development of various motor performance skills.

How much exercise is enough? Here are some guidelines for different ages 

Children under five

Children under five who can walk unaided should be physically active every day for at least 180 minutes (three hours), spread throughout the day, indoors or outdoors.

If your child is under five, you should encourage them to do:

• light activity and more energetic physical activity. 

Children and young people aged 5 to 18

Children and young people aged 5 to 18 should do at least 60 minutes (one hour) of aerobic activity every day. This should include a mix of:

• moderate-intensity activities: this means your child is working hard enough to raise their heart rate and break a sweat
• vigorous-intensity activities: this means they’re breathing hard and fast, and their heart rate has gone up quite a bit.

As part of your child’s 60 or more minutes, they should also do activities that strengthen their muscles and bones.

For more information visit Nhs.uk

So turn off the television, reduce passive screen time and encourage your children to exercise and break a sweat regularly it is for their health. In addition, it will lead to healthier lives as adults. 

[Read: how to build your own workout routine]