The level of a sedentary lifestyle in teenagers is worrisome. So much so that for the World Health Organization (WHO), it is necessary to adopt “urgent measures” in order to increase work out among children aged 11 to 17.
It is because their current and future health is at stake. According to the largest study on physical exercise in young people conducted worldwide by WHO, 80% of school-age adolescents do not reach the recommended minimum level of one hour a day.
In the U.S, we are a little better: the average reaches 76.6%, which in the case of boys goes down to 69.8% and in the case of girls it goes up to 83.8%. What can we do?
In this article, we explain what are the benefits of work out at these ages. What guidelines we can follow as parents for our children to do more. In addition, what measures can be taken in this regard from schools and public administrations?
Why don’t your children do more work out?
Why this situation? The abuse in the free time of the screens (computer, mobile, game consoles, television or tablets) is very much to blame for this sedentary lifestyle.
In the ‘Study Steps ‘ be alerted. Another factor is the lack of education towards a healthy lifestyle. “If families do not care about educating children and adolescents towards healthy habits and routines, they will rarely take the initiative.
In the case of the girls, there are other circumstances that the many reports emphasize. The high academic burden they are subjected to and the fact that they believe they have fewer skills and abilities for the sport.
A greater feeling of fear of ridicule when they interact with the boys. Girls begin to abandon sports practice from the Baccalaureate. The main cause is their maturity and sense of responsibility. This makes them worry more about their studies and their future than about work out.
But it also influences that the girls do not find a sports offer adapted to their motivations. They have less support from the family and their immediate environment to continue playing sports.
What can we do to get more work out?
WHO researchers propose to “urgently” expand policies and programs. They have proven effective in increasing the physical activity of adolescents. In addition, they also consider that multisectoral measures that give young people opportunities to lead an active life. For example, in areas such as education, urban planning, and road safety.
As parents, from a very young age, you can introduce children into sports routines that make them grow healthily. If a young child sees that sport is a routine, he will continue to practice it in primary school. We have to get the children to acquire a marriage with sports practice.
When games are barely on the ground or supervised activities in the water (pool or bathtub) they serve. Daily games at school or in the park, such as hiding or jumping rope are good. For children under 5 years, 30 minutes a day of sports exercise outside the school environment for children between 5 and 12 years are a way to promote it.
Walking, cycling and climbing the stairs, instead of traveling by car or other means of transport or using elevators and escalators, is already a step. Dancing, carrying shopping bags, walking the dog or helping in the garden or garden is also worth it.
Important Measures
Going to school on foot or by bike and playing sports as an extracurricular activity are options. Hiking, martial arts, team sports such as basketball or football and other somewhat less social, such as swimming, tennis or skating, can help encourage sports activity. They need some lifestyle changes.
With rules, with minimal restrictions, risk (climbing, surfing), adventure (slides, forest acrobatic parks, paintball). The important thing is that the activities are fun and interesting for children. They maintain a positive attitude towards physical activity during adolescence and adults.
Society is full of health problems and hypokinetic diseases as the main cause of death. The school must act accordingly as it is a scenario where children spend their daily time mostly. Hence, in addition to daily time, other options should be taken into account. For example, enhance the use of active playgrounds and reduce the burden of homework.
What are more measures that involve governments and parents? Build more parks, leave them more time playing in the street and fewer screens. Also, it promotes the use of nature as an alternative to working out.
In short, comprehensive education that addresses an increase in work out in parallel with Good nutrition and healthy routines and habits.
Parkour instead of gymnastics
Smartphones, tablets, televisions and video games are, according to experts, the main culprits for children to move little. However, it is not enough to simply disconnect them.
Many pedagogues believe it is important that sports offers are compatible with the tastes of children. Many of them may find parkour more fun, for example, than classic gymnastics exercises.
For teenagers, workouts in the gym can be a good complement. If there is not enough money, you can always train at no cost in squares and parks. Some of them also have soccer or basketball arches.
Another help maybe exercises apps. It is recommended that parents choose them with their children. On many video platforms, there are also channels with sports offers to do at home. This can lead to the boys finding in them a reference that motivates them.
Traumatologists and orthopedists recommend that activities be varied and fun. Sport should be considered an enrichment, not a punishment. That is the only way to sustain it in time.
Children move 1.5 hours a day, especially after sitting for a long time. Two or three times a week the activity can be a bit more demanding, like playing volleyball or swimming.
Go out with any weather
Another useful tip is for families to go out, to the park or to the square, with any weather, to play and climb trees, climb walls and stairs. But in the worst case, it is also possible to move indoors. You can transform your drawing room carpet into a large playing surface and a chair and a blanket in a cave in which to play hide and seek.
Many specialists note that young parents are increasingly paying attention to their children’s food and media consumption and that they even take them with them when they run.
However, one must be careful not to overexpose children. It is even better to demand something less since if they reach their limit they will not want to continue. It is necessary to keep in mind that the idea of overcoming the limit itself is rather of adults. Today, even celebrities are motivating people to do exercise, so why can’t you?
