Why Children Are Not Getting Enough Exercise

It is vitally important for children to exercise if they are to grow into strong, healthy adults. Whilst there are some children who regularly go outside to play, running around without a care in the world, there are many more children who sit at home in their bedrooms, playing computer games. It is obviously up to parents to encourage their children to exercise, but that doesn't mean they always do. Some are reluctant to allow their children to go outside alone, but are too lazy to take them to the park or for a walk in the country themselves, so that it becomes much more convenient to let their children watch television or play on their computers.

Getting a child active in early life will enable him to maintain a healthy body weight; build strong muscles, bones and joints; get a better night's sleep; improve his self-esteem; reduce the risk of depression and anxiety; whilst improving his overall health. Exercise needs to become a habit for children, so that they don't grow into the kind of adult who sits around all day, stuffing his face and getting heavier and dangerously unhealthy, as a result. However, children learn from their parents and when parents do not make an effort to exercise and, indeed, paint exercise in a negative light, their children are, of course, going to pick up on this.

If parents drive everywhere and drive their children everywhere, children get used to this and so don't see why they should bother to walk. Children should be doing at least an hour of exercise a day, but many fall short of this. They get driven to school, perhaps play in the playground at break time or perhaps not, then get driven home where they spend their time doing their homework or playing games. They are not burning off all that extra energy children have, as it is not what is expected of them. When their friends are chatting or playing games online, that is what they do, too.

It doesn't help that parents may not have the time or inclination to take their children for a walk in the park or to the swimming pool for a swim. Many parents would prefer to sit down and relax, themselves. They may not realise how important exercise is for young children, particularly if their child doesn't appear to have a weight problem. Consequently, there is no reason to get their child to exercise, especially if it means having to let him go out alone. There is always going to be a fear that he could get run over or have an accident or be abducted, no matter how small the risk.

Children are unlikely to challenge the fact they're not getting enough exercise, though, when they're perfectly content in front of their big television screens, chomping away on chocolate and crisps. In the long run, though, they could find themselves putting on too much weight and developing health problems. Children may not realise this fact, but it is the responsibility of parents to educate their children about the importance of leading an active lifestyle, which it seems many are failing to do.