Whether playing tag or running laps, shooting hoops or doing push-ups, kids benefit from daily exercise. Physical activity helps keep kids' growing bodies fit and healthy. For that reason, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recommends that teenagers and children participate in 60 minutes of activity each day.
Cardiovascular Health
Kids who exercise regularly reduce their risk of encountering cardiovascular problems as adults, according to Northwestern Health Sciences University. The foundation of good heart health is laid when your child is young. Exercise helps keep cholesterol levels down, which is good for your child's heart health in the long run.
Weight
According to KidsHealth, over the past three decades, the portion of kids who are overweight or obese has doubled. Carrying excess weight can lead to other health problems, such as arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure or cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Compared with sedentary activities such as watching television, using a computer and playing most types of video games, exercising burns considerably more calories, which helps keep weight off.
Bone Density
Higher bone mineral density is related to decreased levels of osteoporosis, and exercise increases bone mineral density, Northwestern Health Sciences University reports. Exercise has the most profound effects on bone mineral density when the bones are still growing, as they are in children.
Mental Health
Being physically active benefits kids' brains as well as their bodies. According to Northwestern Health Sciences University, exercise can help children feel more positive about life, handle challenges better, improve their self-esteem and lower anxiety and depression. When kids participate in physical activities they enjoy--whether they are karate classes or informal backyard games--they have fun.
Strength, Endurance and Flexibility
While improving their short- and long-term health (both mental and physical), exercise makes kids stronger and more flexible and improves their endurance, KidsHealth reports. Different types of physical activity may have different specific benefits. For instance, toe touches and other stretches improve flexibility. A very active game of tag or soccer strengthens endurance. Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and other exercises make kids stronger by building their muscles.
Habits for a Lifetime
When kids make physical activity a regular part of their days, they are building habits that may last and provide benefits for a lifetime. KidsHealth advises parents to limit how much time their kids spend in sedentary activities while making exercise an important part of the whole family's lifestyle. Careful attention to healthy eating is important, too, because increased exercise and good nutrition go hand in hand as essential components of health.
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