Computer chat, video games, texting and other sedentary activities have contributed to a massive rise in childhood obesity in the United States in recent decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 percent of children in America were obese in 2008. In addition to helping kids lose weight and stay slim, getting at least an hour of physical activity every day can help boost their immunity and keep them active for life.
Guidelines
School-aged children, or any kids who are beyond preschool but not yet in college, need at least 1 hour of exercise every day, according to the KidsHealth website. The site notes that it's not necessary for that time to occur all in one session; if necessary, it can be broken up into several 10- or 15-minute chunks.
Benefits
In addition to helping keep kids at a healthy weight, reaching the hour benchmark of exercise time every day has notable physical and mental benefits. According to the MedlinePlus online medical encyclopedia, children who make the quota are more self-confident, feel less stressed, have healthier bodies, sleep better and learn better. In fact, in a 2007 study conducted by researchers at the Medical College of Georgia, kids who got at least 40 minutes of exercise per day scored better in cognitive tests than kids who got 20 minutes or less of daily physical activity.
Age Considerations
Signing kids up for team sports or other structured forms of exercise while they're still in elementary school or middle school can help them establish a healthy routine and stick to it as they grow older. According to the Get Kids in Action website, the amount of daily physical activity that kids get begins to drop at about age 13 for girls and age 15 for boys. Without that hour of exercise slated into their schedules, kids may be less inclined to move around, even during recess and other unstructured times.
More Is Better
Remember that the 60-minute guideline for kids' exercise is a minimum for health maintenance and proper development. If your child is obese, a pediatrician may recommend exceeding that amount. Not all exercise has to be structured or even vigorous. A kid who isn't into sports, for example, might enjoy taking nature walks with you, going bowling as a family activity or playing an active video game or arcade game with friends. Pay attention to anything your kids like to do that gets them moving, and actively encourage those habits whenever possible.
References
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Childhood Obesity; June 3, 2010
- MedlinePlus: Exercise for Children
- "Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport"; Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Overweight Children's Cognitive Functioning; Catherine L. Davis, et al.; December 2007
- Get Kids in Action: Get Your Kid in Action --- The Importance of Exercise
- KidsHealth; Kids and Exercise; February 2009
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