Importance of Exercise for Teens
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The teenage years are a time of transition when the body changes for childhood to adulthood. Proper exercise and diet are important during this time to assure strong, healthy bodies. Teens have a lot to deal with such as school, extracurricular activities and changing emotional states. Body image is a concern to many teenagers, but exercise is important to their overall health as well as their physical appearance.
Weight
Approximately 1 in 6 children, aged 6 to 17 are obese, according to the American Psychological Association. Only 30 percent of children in that age group exercise vigorously about 20 minutes per day. The APA states that children need 60 minutes of exercise each day. Being overweight can affect a teenager’s health and self-esteem. Teens can develop a negative self-image that causes them to become shy and withdrawn. If a teenager is severely overweight, it can impact the teen’s health causing health conditions such as high blood pressure to develop at a young age. Such conditions can carry over into adulthood and become progressively worse. Daily exercise in conjunction with proper diet can limit excess body fat, help to maintain a healthy weight and aid in preventing health conditions.
Strong Muscles and Bones
Daily exercise helps to build strong muscles and bones as the teenage body undergoes its transition from child to adult. Strong bones help to prevent injuries during the teen years and adult life. Building muscle burns calories, therefore making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. Teenagers often overlook the benefits of physical activities in place of watching television and playing video games. It is important to remind teenagers of the fun in playing sports and engaging in outdoor physical activities as well as the benefits of physical education and their body development and health. Activities such as biking, hiking, skiing and swimming are great ways to have fun and get a good workout.
Coordination and Flexibility
Being flexible can help improve performance in sports and other activities. Regular exercise can strengthen and tone muscles, enhance coordination and even improve posture. Flexible muscles can help prevent sprains, strains and back problems that may develop later in life. Several fun activities such as yoga, martial arts, dance and gymnastics can help improve flexibility.
Social Benefits
Daily exercise helps teens develop a toned and fit body. Teenagers that are pleased with their physical appearance are often self-confident and self-assured. Engaging in physical activities such as sports or dance classes also provide teens with a social outlet to meet other teens with the same interests. Joining in on extracurricular physical activities can also provide a support base for overweight teens. The benefits of physical activities can help teens suffering from weight problems when they engage in fun team activities to tone their bodies and lose weight.
More Benefits
Exercise helps lower the risk of certain diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. It helps keeps the bones strong as you age and can help prevent osteoporosis, which is a weakening of the bones that often afflicts women as they age. Regular exercise helps improve appetite and can promote peaceful sleep. Starting a regular exercise routine as a teenager and maintaining it can help keep you physically fit and healthy throughout your life.
Excerpts taken from “The Importance of Exercising for Teenagers” by Darlene Zagata for Livestrong.com. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/536359-the-importance-of-exercising-for-teenagers/#ixzz1iWEHkkkR
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