Importance of Physical Activity in Children
- Enhances fitness and motor skills
- Promotes growth and development
- Provides opportunities to teach them about the world
In observing children playing at recess, it is obvious that they are naturally active. They jump, run, throw balls and skip with their playmates. Because play is an essential part of childhood which children joyfully embrace, one may then ask, "Why are we so concerned about promoting physical activity in children?"
There is growing evidence that children and adolescents are becoming less physically active and more overweight. 1,2
- Nearly 50% of young people aged 12 to 21 years in the United States are not vigorously active on a regular basis.
- About 14% of young people report no recent physical activity.
- Over the past 30 years, the percent of overweight children, age 6 to 11 years have more than tripled; for adolescent, age 12 to 19 have nearly tripled.
- 43% of students in grades 9 to12 watch TV more than 2 hours per day.
While more research is needed to understand all the implications of being an overweight or inactive child, we do know that overweight and health risk factors tend to persist3. Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults4. Overweight and obese adults are at an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancers, and gall bladder diseases5.
Here are some of the potential benefits of regular physical activity for children6:
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- Builds and maintains healthy bones, muscles and joints
- Helps control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat
- Improves sense of self-image and self confidence
- Fosters healthy social and emotional development
- May improve academic performance and alertness7
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With this background, the next question is, "How much physical activity do young people need?"
Children and teens are advised to aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily.8, 9, 10
- All children age 5 and older should participate in at least 30 minutes of enjoyable, moderate-intensity activity (such as leisurely riding a bike, walking at a rate of 3 to 4 mph, stair climbing, etc.) every day.
- They should also perform at least 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity (such as skipping, jump roping, skating, briskly walking at a rate of 5 mph, etc) at least 3 to 4 days per week.
- If children do not have full 30-minute activity breaks, try to provide at least two 15-minute periods, or three 10-minute periods in which they can engage in age-appropriate vigorous activities.
At the recent September 2002 Healthy Schools Summit11, school personnel were called upon to help implement this recommendation by providing children with as many opportunities as possible to keep them moving. Examples were provided on how this could be accomplished by linking physical activity with subject content across the curriculum. This gives students the opportunity to apply what has been learned to new situations - a process that reinforces learning by giving students more exposure to the subject matter.
Such an approach opens the door for School Food Service Personnel to provide children with a variety of opportunities for linking physical activity with the school curriculum that will help support the goal of "Keep Children Moving" within a school lunch setting. Examples of how you can implement these types of activities are provided in the next articles.
References: Click here.
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