Importance of exercise for children

Physical exercising is the key to health and a happy, long life, regardless of your age, sex or any other factors of this type. Thus, you are recommended to have a good exercise routine, promoting cardiovascular health, keeping many diseases at bay and building your overall strength, endurance and physical fitness. Also, leading a physically active life will keep those extra pounds away from you, allowing you to achieve and maintain a slim body shape. Finally, exercising regularly reduces stress levels, therefore making any individual more relaxed and positive. All in all, exercising is one of the best activities for you, prolonging your life.

The Grim Reality

Regardless of many of the above mentioned benefits of exercising, a large number of people are leading sedentary lives, throwing their health away. In fact, about 50% of all US citizens are not exercising enough. Additionally, the most endangered group among all these are children. So, make sure your child is physically active since this will allow him/her to lead a happier life in the future.

Since 2006, less than 1/3 of all 15-year-olds managed to exercise enough regularly during the week, with the numbers decreasing even more during the weekend. Rather, a vast majority of children spend about 5 and a half hours playing video games, surfing the internet, watching TV or doing some other sedentary activities of this type. Subsequently, every 3rd child in America is obese, being prone to developing diabetes, asthma and many other health problems. Ultimately, as far as schools are concerned, many do not even offer physical education classes, while a great deal of those which do, do not offer enough of these activities weekly.

Children and the Necessity of Exercising

Basically, children need about an hour of physical activity every day. This exercising routine needs to encompass three factors - strength, endurance and flexibility.

Children who are under 3 years old need to develop their motor skills properly. Thus, activities such as throwing and running are ideal. Tag, leap frog and activities involving toys are all recommended.

Older children, until they are 5 years old, can extend their daily exercising to 2 hours, a single hour being considered a minimum. Gymnastics, catching, swimming, riding a bicycle or taking up sports are ideal activities for this group of children.

Children aging from 6 to 12 are ready to develop an exercising routine they can maintain at least 3 times a week. Yoga, rock climbing or even visiting a gym, all are possible options.

Finally, children older than 13 can benefit greatly from joining in some group physical activities, such as sports. Let them choose the sport they prefer and motivate them to stick with it, reaping the benefits.