Childhood obesity is a serious health problem. The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has more than doubled since the 1980s. The National Institutes of Health says 17 percent of children ages 2 to 19 are either too heavy or at risk of becoming overweight. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should get at least one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise per day, starting when they are toddlers. Maintaining a healthy weight is just one of the many benefits of regular aerobic activity.
Considerations
Aerobic movement is defined as any physical activity that increases the heart rate. It strengthens the heart and lungs and builds stamina. When aerobic activity is done on a consistent basis, it enhances the body's ability to dispatch oxygen to its cells.
Physical Benefits
Children who take part in aerobic fitness on an ongoing basis have stronger bones, greater muscle tone, carry less body fat and are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. They are less apt to develop diabetes, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol.
Mental Effects
Kids who get their bodies moving daily are more capable of handling not only physical challenges, but emotional hurdles as well. Because aerobic exercise tends to improve sleep, children are more likely to do well in school.
Examples
There are plenty of individual and team aerobic activities children can choose from. Some of the more popular choices include walking, running, swimming, soccer, tennis, basketball, bicycling and both ice and in-line skating.
Aerobics and Age
According to KidsHealth, toddlers should get 30 minutes of planned physical activity plus one hour of free play each day. Preschoolers should also spend one hour in unstructured physical movement and another full hour in planned exercise. School-age kids should get one hour of exercise every day. This can be divided into four 15-minute or two 30-minute periods.
Member Comments