The number of overweight teens is becoming more rampant in the United States. Being overweight during adolescence can lead to weakened overall health, increase the risk of some diseases and shorten life expectancy. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that kids and adolescents get one hour or more of either consecutive or total physical activity every day. Daily exercise can help your teenager manage his weight, stimulate his mind, build self-confidence and improve his overall well-being.
Martial Arts
Getting your teen involved in martial arts is an effective way to promote aerobic activity and physical fitness. In addition, self-defense classes can teach your teen important elements of personal character, like discipline, responsibility, self-control, perseverance and courage. Martial arts may be especially appealing to teens who enjoy playing video games that involve combat and strategy.
Team Activities
If your kid has a competitive streak or enjoys doing activities with other people, give him the suggestion to join a school or community sports team. All types of sports provide plenty of aerobic benefits. Whether your teen prefers basketball, football, soccer, hockey, lacrosse or even marching band, the required practices, competitions and meets are structured to ensure that your teen gets plenty of physical activity on most days of the week.
Visit Community Parks or Rec Centers
Set aside an hour every other day to go to a local park or rec center as a family. Your teen can choose from a number of activities, such as playing frisbee, tennis, skateboarding, swimming, rock climbing or just tossing a football. Community centers may even offer teen-centered fitness classes, like kickboxing, hip hop or yoga. Talk with your teenager and let him choose activities that appeal to him.
Increase Overall Activity
Find ways to encourage physical activity at home and in his daily life. If the high school is reasonably close and in a safe area, encourage your teen to walk, bike or inline-skate to and from school. Turn off the television during commercial breaks and do aerobic exercises, like jumping jacks or mountain climbers. Challenge him to a game of basketball in the driveway for a half-hour instead of playing video games. Assign him to mow the lawn once a week or to walk or jog with the dog for 10 or 15 minutes after dinner every night.
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