As a parent, you know how hard it can be to get your kids to eat well and exercise. You might even feel like every day is an uphill battle, but the benefits of fitness for children are so great that it's worth trying. If you're looking for some ways to help your child become more active and healthy, consider these surprising benefits of fitness for children:
Children with better fitness have a lower risk of developing chronic conditions.
Children with better fitness have a lower risk of developing chronic conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity and overweight
In addition, children who exercise regularly may be at lower risk for asthma and other respiratory problems. Regular physical activity can help strengthen the heart and lungs, which reduces their workload when they're exercising or playing sports. It also helps them learn how to relax in stressful situations so that they don't feel like they need to run away from them (like when an angry mom yells at them).
Exercise can make kids smarter.
As you know, exercise is good for the brain. It helps with memory, concentration, and problem-solving. But did you know that regular exercise can also help kids learn better? Exercise has been shown to improve attention span and listening skills in children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). This means that if your child gets enough sleep and does some kind of physical activity every day--like playing outside or going for a walk together--they'll be less likely to feel anxious or depressed.
Regular physical activity may even help improve sleeping patterns by promoting healthy hormone production; it might also reduce stress levels which can cause insomnia in some people (including children).
Kids who are fit are more likely to do well in school.
One of the most well-known benefits of fitness is that it helps students do better in school. Studies have shown that kids who are fit are more likely to do well in school, and they have higher grades than their less active peers. This can be due to several factors:
- Increased focus and concentration--Being physically active increases blood flow throughout your body, which means more oxygen reaches your brain. A more oxygenated brain means better focus, clearer thinking, and sharper memory recall.
- Better memory--Exercise has been shown to improve both short-term memory (the ability to remember things for about 30 seconds) as well as long-term memory (the ability to remember things days or even years later).
Fitness helps kids sleep better, which can reduce stress and improve mood.
Fitness helps kids sleep better, which can reduce stress and improve mood.
Exercise improves sleep in several ways. It can help kids fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up more refreshed than they would otherwise. This is because exercise boosts the body's production of melatonin (the hormone that regulates circadian rhythm), which makes us feel sleepy; increases the amount of time we spend in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep; and reduces anxiety levels that keep us awake at night.
Fitness builds self-esteem and confidence in kids.
Fitness can help kids feel good about themselves.
- When you see your child exercising and getting fit, it's a confidence booster that can boost self-esteem and body image.
- Fitness helps children build strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility. These things help them perform better in school as well as other areas of their lives. When kids feel good about themselves they are more likely to do well academically because they take care of themselves properly (eat right & get enough sleep).
Regular activity lets your kids spend more time outdoors and away from screens, which is good for their overall health and well-being.
- Get your kids outside.
When children are active, they are more likely to be happy and healthy. The more time kids spend outdoors in nature, the less likely they are to develop depression or anxiety. And when you get your kids playing outside (rather than sitting indoors on a screen), they're also getting essential vitamin D that helps them grow strong bones and muscles.
- Set aside time every day for outdoor playtime--even if it's just five minutes!
- You can't always control what happens at school or when friends come over after school or during weekends but try not to let technology take over all of your family's activities; make sure there is some unplugged fun each day too!
They'll be less likely to struggle with obesity as adults.
Obesity is a growing problem in the United States, with more than one-third of adults classified as obese. Obesity raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
As parents, we can help our children avoid obesity by making sure they eat healthy and exercise regularly. If you have a child who's overweight or obese now but used to be at a normal weight as an infant or toddler, talk with his or her doctor about setting up an effective weight loss program that includes regular exercise (such as walking).
Kids benefit from being active, and so do their parents!
Children can help their parents be more active by providing motivation and support. In turn, parents can encourage their children to be active by setting an example and encouraging them to participate in physical activities.
Parents and children can also do fitness activities together as a family unit or with other families interested in improving their health together. There are many great opportunities for parent/child fitness activities including:
- Walking around the neighborhood together
- Playing a game of tag outside
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's clear that being physically active has many benefits for children. It can improve their health, make them smarter and more confident, help them sleep better at night, and even reduce stress levels in both parents and kids alike. If you want to raise happy, healthy kids who are less likely to struggle with obesity as adults--and who doesn't?--then make sure they get plenty of exercise every day!
