Benefits of Physical Activity for Teens

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in our country. According to the CDC, “17% of children age 12-19 are overweight.” Some would argue that this is the fault of video games and technology that has become increasingly popular in the past few years. The fact of the matter is that technology may be part of the problem, but it is certainly not the whole story. We are living in a more sedentary world than ever before and our young adults are being raised in this environment. The truly sad part of this story is that inactivity during teenage years has a lasting effect on a child’s health. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These conditions are all extremely preventable with proper nutrition and physical activity. With just a little physical activity everyday teenagers will have a better chance at leading healthier lives on down the road.
The effects of physical activity are wide spread. Physical activity among children and adolescents is important because of the related health benefits such as: cardio-respiratory function, blood pressure control, weight management, cognitive function, and other emotional benefits (Department of Health and Human Services). It can decrease depression rates, lower cholesterol and help with physical appearance. Exercise can help teens to feel better not only physically, but mentally as well. It has been shown to help reduce stress levels and improve brain function in children around the country. Those adolescents who participate in regular physical education are more likely to do better on standardized tests and do better in school overall. Part of the reason why kids are more inactive during their teenage years than any other is that they tend to drop out of organized sports around this time. For those kids who do not continue on with sports they find other things to occupy their time like playing video games or watching television.
It is not enough just to promote more physical activity in the schools. The real battle needs to be fought at home within the family. Parents who set a good, healthy example for their children are more likely to have active kids. Planning activities is an important part in the war against the sedentary lifestyle. If parents could encourage their kids to be active just thirty minutes a day they would see lasting effects on their health and happiness.
Sources:
http://www.fitness.gov/resources_factsheet.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/DataStatistics/