At age 13, your son is on the cusp of entering high school and subsequently some of the most impressionable years of his life as a teenager. While it means he's growing up, it also means he can become more susceptible to peer pressure, images that he sees on television and in movies and even your own influence as a parent. By suggesting and implementing a daily exercise routine, you can help boost your teen's confidence by helping him take control of his body and mind.
Weight Management
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 17 percent of adolescents, ages 2 to 19, are considered obese, as of 2008. This is sobering news, especially if your son is overweight or obese. While being overweight can be a precursor to a variety of health problems, it's the mental damage that can affect teens profoundly. Social ostracizing and low self-esteem can make your son feel badly about himself. Encouraging 60 minutes of exercise per day can help him shed pounds and manage his weight to feel better about his body and gain confidence in himself.
Depression Symptoms
While the childhood depression rate for males is about half of what it is for females, 4 to 5 percent of the adolescent male population suffers from some form of depression. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, but it can be exacerbated by certain factors, including low self-worth and self-esteem. Exercise has been tested and recognized as a type of therapy for adolescent depression by the Medical College of Georgia. A study by the school found that children who participated in running games, jump rope and other exercise-based activities reported feeling better about themselves.
Social Skills
If your son is painfully shy and has trouble making friends, exercise can be a beneficial way to help him come out of his shell and learn more efficient social skills. Much of teenage exercise is sports-based, which gives your son the opportunity to interact with kids his age. The supportive nature of a team often offers a ready-made circle of friends based on similar hobbies and interests. Even if your teen is more interested in individual sports, squads, coaches and fellow athletes can become friends through practices and events, helping to boost his confidence in his ability to make friends.
Getting Started
Exercise is clearly beneficial for a teen boy's confidence level, but explaining that to him may be easier said than done. Rather than tell him about the benefits of exercise, show him. By your example, physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle can become a priority in your family. Suggest physical activities that you can do together, such as hiking or a game of basketball in the driveway. Then, ensure that he gets ample opportunities to stay active on his own time by limiting TV and computer use, encouraging sports participation and keeping up with your own exercise routine.
References
- Ccenters for Disease Control and Prevention: Overweight and Obesity
- Georgia Health Sciences University; Regular Exercise Reduces Depressive Symptoms, Improves Self-Esteem in Overweight Children; March 2009
- Child Stats: Adolescent Depression
- Kids Health: Sports, Exercise and Diabetes
- "Strong Kids, Healthy Kids: The Revolutionary Program for Increasing Your Child's Fitness in 30 Minutes a Week"; Fredrick Hahn; 2008
