All Children Exercise Simultaneously
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The Importance of Regular Physical Activity for Children

The United States has seen a decrease in the number of children who are physically active and an increase in the number of children who are overweight.

• Nearly half of young people aged 12-21 years in the United States are not vigorously active on a regular basis.
• About 14% of young people report no recent physical activity.
• Over the past 30 years the percent of overweight children aged 6 to 11 years has more than doubled.

While more research is needed to understand all of the implications of being an overweight or inactive child, we do know that obesity and its health risk factors tend to persist. Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults. Overweight and obese adults are at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and gall bladder disease.

The Kids Walk-to-School program encourages physical activity as an integral part of a child’s daily routine. It assumes that teaching children the importance and pleasure of walking and bicycling to and from school may help to increase the likelihood that they will engage in other forms of physical activity.

Here are some of the potential benefits of regular physical activity for children:

• Builds and maintains healthy bones, muscles, and joints. 
• Helps control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat.
• Improves sense of self-image and autonomy.
• Fosters healthy social and emotional development.

In addition, preliminary data show that physical activity may improve academic performance and alertness in youth.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/physact.htm
 

Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General Adolescence and Young Adults Key Messages Adolescents and young adults, both male and female, benefit from physical activity. Physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial. Moderate amounts of daily physical activity are recommended for people of all ages. This amount can be obtained in longer sessions of moderately intense activities, such as brisk walking for 30 minutes, or in shorter sessions of more intense activities, such as jogging or playing basketball for 15-20 minutes. Greater amounts of physical activity are even more beneficial, up to a point. Excessive amounts of physical activity can lead to injuries, menstrual abnormalities, and bone weakening. Facts Nearly half of American youths aged 12-21 years are not vigorously active on a regular basis. About 14 percent of young people report no recent physical activity. Inactivity is more common among females (14%) than males (7%) and among black females (21%) than white females (12%). Participation in all types of physical activity declines strikingly as age or grade in school increases.  See the whole report at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/adoles.htm

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