How many teens DO get the recommended amount of exercise? A new study shows only one in four teens between 12 and 15 years are getting the amount recommended for health – an hour of moderate or vigorous exercise each day. More teenage boys than girls met the criteria. Only a little more than one in five teenage girls are physically active enough to work up a sweat for an hour or more daily. Not surprisingly, overweight and obese adolescents and teens were the most likely to be sedentary.
Why is Teen Inactivity Such a Problem?
Inactivity is a contributor to obesity. Teens that are obese are at higher risk than normal weight teens of being obese as adults. In addition, inactive teens are more likely to be sedentary adults. It’s during the childhood, adolescent and teen years that kids establish lifestyle habits – good or bad – which they’ll likely continue into adulthood. An inactive teen is less likely to become an adult that places a high priority on health and fitness. Old habits die hard.
That’s not the only problem. Research shows teen obesity increases the risk for health problems as adults including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma and kidney problems. A number of overweight and obese teens may already have early signs of some of these health problems.
Obesity isn’t the only problem. Inactivity is too. A study showed obese adults that had higher fitness levels as teens were 60% less likely to have a heart attack relative to those that were the least fit. Being active and physically fit during the adolescent and teen years seems to carry over into adulthood – even if the teen puts on significant weight as an adult.
Teen Exercise for Bone Health and Cancer Prevention
Healthy bones are built early – during childhood, adolescent and the teen years. High-impact exercise during the years of childhood and adolescence is important for building bone density. Research suggests that bone density gained from activity during childhood and adolescence could protect against osteoporosis later in life even if the adolescent turns into a sedentary adult.
Other studies show females that exercise during their adolescent, teen and young adult years enjoy a lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. Adolescent women that are physically active also tend to have later onset of menstruation. This is another factor that lowers the risk of breast cancer. Adolescents that start menstruating later have less lifetime exposure to estrogen.
Finally, according to the Centers for Disease Control, adolescents and teens that are physically active perform better academically in certain areas. Exercise is also a good stress reliever. Yes, being a teen CAN be stressful and staying active helps them “blow off steam” and feel better psychologically. It’s never too late to get the benefits of exercise but there are additional advantages to starting young.
There are obvious benefits to getting teens off the couch – so how do you get them motivated?
Set an example. Adolescents and teens that have active parents are more likely to be active themselves.
Spend time staying physically active as a family. Get them involved in your own exercise program. Challenge them to do an exercise DVD with you or see who can do the most push-ups.
When you spend time together as a family, plan something active. Hiking, rock climbing and canoeing are options teens enjoy.
Encourage them to participate in a sport. Give them the opportunity to try different activities – tennis, swimming etc. – until they find one consistent with their interests and skills.
Set limits on television and computer time.
Give them active household activities to do – walk the dog, work in the garden, mow the lawn. Anything to get them up off the couch.
The Bottom Line?
Habits are formed early. When adolescents and teens become active early in life, they’re more likely to continue into adulthood. In addition, exercising early in life may offer health benefits, like increased bone density and a reduced cancer risk, that transfer over into adulthood. Not enough teens are getting the recommended amount of exercise they need for health. What can parents do? Set a good example and encourage them to get off the couch.
References:
Medical News Today. “Teen obesity linked to serious health problems in adulthood”
Medical News Today. “Fit teenagers ‘have lower risk of later-life heart attacks”
International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2012 June; 10(3): 527-536.
Science Daily. “Girls, Young Women Can Cut Risk Of Early Breast Cancer Through Regular Exercise”
JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst (1994) 86 (18): 1403-1408.
Centers for Disease Control. “Physical Activity Facts”
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Physical Inactivity or Obesity: Which is the Bigger Health Threat?
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Is Being Physically Active Enough or Do You Need Structured Exercise as Well?