Obesity is becoming a major problem for kids nowadays; parents and pediatricians alike are all getting worried. We hear parents complaining about how their children prefer to eat fast food and spend the day watching TV or playing video games. Parents should make sure that their children engage in physical activities as much as they indulge in mentally stimulating activities. Exercise for kids does not only keep them physically fit. They also do not need to go through rigorous or high-intensity training. Keep it simple and fun. You may ask, “they are still kids, they do not need to concern themselves with being fit.” The truth is, children have more flexibility and are always open to change. They are like clay waiting to be molded into the best possible shape. Irrespective of their gender and age, physical activity and its benefits cannot be overrated. It is important to encourage children to be active and make sure their bodies are healthy – the natural way.
Parents should encourage their kids to be involved in any form of exercise to prevent leading a sedentary lifestyle in their adult life.
Here are 10 reasons why exercise is very important for kids:
Healthy heart and lungs
When you do physical activity, your heart rate increases, allowing more blood to pump to your heart. This increases the amount of oxygen supplied to the lungs and heart, improving breathing. Exercise also improves the overall health of your child.
Weight Check
Physical activities like aerobics or dancing burn more calories compared to mild exercise. It’s a great way to make a child sweat, losing more calories and unwanted body fats. Regular exercise prevents a child from gaining weight or becoming obese.
Good Immunity
The increased oxygen in the lungs during physical activity increases lung capacity and stamina. Minerals and nutrients are absorbed faster by the blood and the child becomes healthier when their stamina increases. When a child is able to absorb all the nutrients from the food they consume and the air they breathe, it results in boosted strength and immunity.
Reduced Mental Health Problems
There have been many reports of children suffering from mental health issues, like depression and anxiety. They experience a lot of peer pressure and mental stress at this stage in their life. Exercising is a great way to release endorphins into their body. These endorphins are helpful when fighting depression and anxiety, as well as improving their mood. The additional endorphins make the child feel stress-free and more enthusiastic. Prescription drugs may help, but at a young age, fighting mental illness through physical exercise is a viable option.
Better Academic Performance
The brain is also enriched by the increased oxygen in the body. For the brain to function optimally, it requires a good amount of blood flow. Being academically sound is not about the numbers on your child’s report card or how many books they have read, but by how retentive and receptive their brain is.
Detoxification of the body
Sweat, urine, and tears help to get rid of toxins in the body. Exercise results in sweating, helping the body flush out toxins. Detoxification in the body makes your child feel more energized, thus boosting their energy, improving skin health, cleansing the liver, and eventually improving overall strength.
Improve Social Skills
Physical exercises, such as aerobics, can be performed indoors or outdoors. When your child enrolls in various group classes with other children, their social skills develop. This is helpful if your child has difficulties socializing or is normally shy around other children.
Good Appetite
It is normal for kids to have erratic eating habits. They prefer bingeing on snacks that have no nutritional value and destroy the digestive system. Not eating healthy foods may lead to stomach pains, loose bowel movement, and many other digestive problems. Exercise helps them build an appetite that will make them crave nutritious food.
Stronger Muscles
Bones and muscles have the potential to become strong and sturdy during a child’s growing years. Training your child at an early age to be physically active makes their muscles stronger and prevents fatty acid build-up. Stronger muscles will help their bodies become less susceptible to soreness and illness.
Better Mobility
Regular exercise for kids prevents their limbs from becoming rigid. The free-flowing uninterrupted movement makes the child feel healthy and empowered. The increased mobility from regular exercise also limits their restrictions from playing or engaging in their favorite games.
Physical exercises will greatly improve your child’s health, cognitive, physical, and mental abilities, making them stronger inside and out. Go ahead and try introducing exercise to your child. Akers Academy is a great venue for your child to start.
