Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — It’s no secret that exercise is important to your health at any age. It is a good idea to assume that children have no problem staying active. After all, there is a sports class at school, a break for the kids, and plenty of organized sports. But kids, especially teens, are less active than you might think.
According to the World Health Organization, adolescents should do 60 minutes of minimum moderate or vigorous physical activity per day. However, a 2019 study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health showed that less than 20% of school-going teens in the world engage in this amount of activity, and girls are less active than boys. In the United States, that number is slightly higher, where 24% of children ages 6 to 17 engage in 60 minutes of physical activity per day, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Control (CDC).
What do these low numbers indicate? with many things.
The attractiveness of organized sport is fading, mainly because of the increased cost, time commitment, and often intense competitive nature. According to the Aspen Institute, only 38% of children aged 6 to 12 were participating in organized sport in 2018, compared to 45% in 2008. The Aspen Institute Report on the State of Play 2021 states that the COVID-19 pandemic It may have accelerated the downward trend.
Then there is the role of technology. About half of American teens say they’re online “almost constantly,” according to a Pew Research Center study, down from just 24% in 2014-2015.
Carol Harrison, senior clinical exercise physiologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas at Houston, said breaks between classes and outdoor playtime are no longer mandatory in most schools. In addition, children go to school by means of transportation today, more than in the past, when they were walking or cycling.
Experts found this lack of movement worrisome, not just from a weight perspective. To improve the health of your heart, muscles, bones, and metabolic health, regular exercise helps improve coordination and agility, and the resulting increased blood flow is good for the brain as well.
“Studies have shown that children who participate in daily physical activity are generally better at attention and focus, which translates into better academic performance,” Harrison said. And she added, “It helps control emotions and manage emotions better.”
Ways to enhance physical activity
How do you make your teenage son sweat? While it can be a challenge for parents most of the time, there are many ways to bring more physical activity into your children’s lives.
Make movement a fun social experience
Find activities that you can enjoy in a group, such as cycling with the family, jumping into a beanbag, or heading to a park with friends. On holidays, you can organize a camping trip, where sports such as swimming, hiking or kayaking are on the daily agenda.
“Focus on fun,” Harrison said, because “for most kids, it’s a necessary component.” This is the social aspect. “Studies have shown that the number one reason most adults follow and maintain an exercise program is the social component,” she said, adding that “the same goes for children as well.”
Organized Sports
Organized sport is good because it helps teens build social bonds, teach perseverance, and teach teamwork. But some programs focus more on winning, and less on skill development. If your teen yearns to master a particular sport, a competitive program may be a good fit for him. But teens who play organized sports for fun and socializing may prefer a less competitive environment.
Think unfamiliar
Not all children will enjoy organized sports, especially if they are not competitive. But maybe they will enjoy rock climbing, skateboarding, or performing arts. “What motivated me to sport is the youth circus, and trapeze is a youth activity that is very popular today,” said Jennifer Agnes, assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management at Penn State University Park, in Pennsylvania, USA.
She listed other sports such as dancing, yoga, martial arts, ultimate frisbee, badminton, and others.
Sneak inside
And exercise is not necessarily synonymous with sports specifically. Housework burns calories, so you can assign your children age-appropriate tasks that require the most movement. Think mowing the lawn, or vacuuming, versus a flick, or drying dishes. Another good option, Harrison said, includes planting, watering, weeding, and more.
Contests can also enhance activity. Challenge your teen to see who’s the fastest by running, doing most sit-ups, or walking daily or weekly. And use small gifts as a reward. And don’t overlook volunteer work, which often involves a lot of movement, like your children helping someone with packing and moving boxes.
Connect with your teen
If your teens suddenly show a lack of interest in an activity they normally enjoy, sit down and talk to them. Agnes noted that their sudden lack of interest in swimming was probably due to the embarrassment of seeing them in a swimsuit. Or maybe they want to quit football because a new teammate is making fun of them, or they don’t have teammates this year.
“Personal restrictions like this may prevent people from doing the activities they would normally like to do,” she said.
Point out the positives
As teens find activities they enjoy, be sure to point out all the positives from their increased mobility, whether it’s building stronger muscles, sleeping better, or achieving higher energy levels. This may help them on days when their desire to do so weakens, and this is something that affects children as well as adults.
