Active Kids Lead Healthier Lives
by Alison Cooper (Founder & Owner of Empire Tri Club)
Published in the Rofami.com Health & Wellness Newsletter
We all know that child obesity is on the rise. And I’m sure many of you are saying to yourself, “my child is not at risk.” But did you know that if your child drinks just 1 can of soda a day, they would be consuming 50 pounds of sugar a year? Did you know that kids spend an average of 7.5 hours in front of a screen every day! About one-third of adults and 12.5 million children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. Unless we do something about it, those numbers will continue to rise.
Children today are far less active than they were 30 years ago. Inactive kids are likely to grow up to be inactive adults, which has immense long-term effects on their mental and physical health. Its no surprise that inactive children and adolescents have a greater risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, bone and joint problems, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, social and psychological problems, and poor self-esteem, JUST TO NAME A FEW! I’m not going to go on and on about the health concerns kids face from NOT being active, because you’ve heard them 100 times. What I want to talk about is the benefits your kids will receive from being exposed to activities and sports and the many ways you can help them become more active!
It is proven that physically active kids have more self-esteem, confidence, energy and better overall health, than their less active peers. Through sports, children learn invaluable life skills like sportsmanship, teamwork, goal setting, leadership, and perseverance. Children who are physically active have stronger immune systems and are less prone to colds, allergies and diseases. Active children are less likely to become overweight and will have a better body image.
Not only does physical activity have a huge impact on physical health, but mental health as well. Active children have superior memory as a result of better brain function, and the ability to concentrate better at the end of a long school day. Moderate exercise increases the release of beneficial hormones in the body, and rids the body of toxins. Exercise reduces depression, decreases anxiety, and improves mood in children. Perhaps most importantly, physical activity develops children’s self-esteem and confidence. Their ability to overcome difficult situations improves and they simply enjoy a better, sunnier outlook on life.
You might be thinking, “this all sounds great if your kid is a super star, but my child will never be the MVP.” If there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it’s this: Your child does not have to win races or hit home runs to enjoy sports. What’s important is that they find something that they enjoy, so that exercise becomes a part of their everyday lifestyle, and not a chore.
There are a multitude of opportunities for kids to become active. If one activity does not catch their interest, try something else! They can start by becoming more active in their gym class. They can join a school sports teams, town recreation team, club team or Olympic Development Program. Local health clubs offer kid programs including teen spin classes and other kids classes. Zumba is one of the trendiest activities around, and now offers kid and teen classes! The focus is all about moving your body and having fun. Whether your child is a super-star athlete or not, this is an activity that any kid can enjoy!
Additionally, local pools and swim clubs have swimming and diving teams, or recreational swim classes for less competitive kids. You can also explore summer camps that offer activities like fencing, kayaking, snorkeling, rock climbing or mountain biking. There are many general sports camps that offer various activities, as well as sport specific camps such as Soccer, Football or Baseball, for example. They can explore classes like Pilates, Yoga, Kickboxing, Karate, Gymnastics, Swimming… the list goes on.
Another sport that is on the rise is triathlon. Youth Triathlons are becoming extremely popular for kids ages 3 and up! Sites like www.kidstri.com will show a listing of races in your area. Any kid who knows how to swim, bike and run can be a triathlete!
Remember, what’s important is to let them play (or run, or swim, or dance) and enjoy! Make it an important part of their life and make it fun. Let them be with their friends. Expose them to activities while they’re young and they will be more likely to remain active throughout their entire lives. Be a good role model for your kids and show them how to be a good role model for their peers. Find activities you can do together. Understand the line between encouragement and pressure, so they don’t burnout or feel they can never live up to your expectations. Your goals may not be the same as your child’s, and that’s ok!
I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity to participate in sports from a very young age. Sports have influenced my values, friendships, education, health, travel opportunities and career path, and will continue to play a role in my life and my family. You are the biggest influence on your kids, so get involved and start moving!
To read the complete article, click here to view the Rofami Inc. Health & Wellness Newsletter
