Why is Exercise Important for Children?
In the United States:
- Seventy-six percent of children don’t do enough daily exercise to be healthy.
- Only 3.7% of schools have daily gym classes.
Exercise is an important part of keeping children healthy. Teaching healthy habits is important for when they grow older. Children who learn to enjoy exercise are more likely to be active adults. Making changes can be harder as a child grows older. The best way to build healthy exercise habits is for the whole family to be active.
Establishing an Exercise and Activity Plan
Daily exercise is a good way to spend time with family and friends.
- Every day, children should do at least 60 minutes of exercise that is fitting for age, fun and involves different types of activities.
- Choose activities that are aerobic and make bones and muscles stronger.
- Daily exercise doesn’t need to be done all at once. Your child can exercise 5-10 minutes at a time, throughout the day, to add up to 60 minutes.
Aerobic Activity |
Strengthens Muscles |
Promotes Bone Strength and Growth |
Soccer |
Playing on playground Climbing trees Lifting weights Resistance bands |
Basketball
Skipping Hopscotch Jump rope |
Aerobic exercise:
- Continuous movement that makes your breathing and heart beat get faster.
- Improves fitness and helps prevent heart disease.
- Some exercise should be vigorous, where your child plays hard enough to get sweaty or out of breath.
Daily exercise is part of being healthy. Some children can exercise too much. If your child begins losing too much weight or if exercise interferes with school and other activities, talk with your child's doctor.
Benefits of Regular Exercise and Activity
The following are the benefits of regular exercise:
- Improves blood flow
- Helps with healthy weight
- Improves cholesterol
- Prevents and lowers high blood pressure
- Improves energy
- Improves sleep
- Releases tension
- Improves self-image
- Helps manage stress
- Helps lower anxiety and depression
- Improves mood
- Builds strong muscles and bones