Physical Fitness

Children tend to spend too much time watching television, playing video games, or playing on the computer. Lack of exercise, combined with poor diets has led to an epidemic of obesity in children. This is why physical fitness is so important. Regular physical activity has been proven to have significant health benefits, to include the reduction and prevention of chronic diseases such as, hypertension, child and adult diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and obesity the leading cause of death in people today. Physically fit children will instill physically fit adults in the future. It is never too early to encourage children to lead healthy, active lifestyles, and the best way to do this is to put down the remote control, put on your walking shoes and lead by example.

There are many ways children can benefit from physical fitness. The web site Kids Health gave some great tips on the benefits of physical fitness.

Improves strength and endurance
Builds healthy bones and muscles
Maintains healthy weight
Increase self-esteem
Reduces stress and anxiety
Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes

Physical fitness helps children master fine motor skills and gross motor skills such as walking, running in a straight line, climbing, jumping, throwing a ball, reaching for objects, gripping a bat or ball, holding a rope, eye hand coordination and games that help develop small muscle movements. All of these activities lead to confidence in children. Physical fitness also helps children master social skills by playing structured games with their peers and learning how to express good sportsmanship with each other, a skill they will use for the rest of their lives. Being physically fit helps children to be socially confident. Lastly, physical fitness helps children master mental skills by being physically fit, feeling good and having fun, which contributes to children by being confident about themselves and emotionally sound. We also know that when we are working out we are feeding our brain with extra energy and oxygen.

Children who do not benefit from regular physical activity or who are not active all together are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol. One way adults can encourage children to become more physically fit it’s to be physically fit their selves. Modeling good fitness habits will encourage children to be more like the adult. If that does not totally change the situation, here are some tips I found online at Kidshealth.org, and Pediatrics.about.com to encourage children to become more active. Take a walk in the woods, climbing on a jungle gym, the game of tag, swimming, group games like red rover or red light green light, ballet or any dance class as well as making bead necklace or crafts.
According to Australia’s center for health promotions, children should not spend more than two hours per day using electronic media for entertainment. This statement really hit home with me because so many parents use, electronic games, and TV as babysitters for their children. I am probably guilty at times of this as well. Whether you are in Australia or Texas the problems of children’s fitness are the same. After all we are just setting up our children for many health problems due to inactivity.

Children who are active have stronger muscles and bones. They are less likely to become over weight as an adult and less likely of developing health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure problems. Children who are physically active and stay that way have a better outlook on life, stress, and have better coping skills.

References

http://illnoiseearlylearning.org

http://lets-explore.net/

http://kidshealth.org/

http://pediatrics.about.com/

http://chdf.org.au/