As kids head back to school, health is at the top of parent’s minds. There are a number of benefits to physical activity, including improved mood, sleep, concentration, muscle, and bone strength. However, the recommendations for staying active vary, depending on age.
The CDC says preschool aged children should be active everyday throughout the entire day. Kids age 6 to 17 should be active for at least an hour everyday, and participate in more challenging activity three days a week– to build strength.
The CDC told News 13, that kids’ activity levels actually increase– when they head back to school. They assume this is due to physical education classes, and the overall routine of heading back to school.
Regardless of their physical activity at school, the CDC still advises parents to promote a health lifestyle at home.
“Adults can think about the future benefits of physical activity, so it can motivate an adult to get out there for 30 minutes and play tennis and get all sweaty, but for a kid, it’s a little bit harder–you need to think about the immediate benefits of physical activity,” said Dr. Geoffrey Whitfield, acting chief of the Physical Activity and Health Branch, CDC.
Some of their tips including making games out of exercise or suggesting your kid participates in a sport after school. A full list of ideas for integrating physical activity into your family’s life can be found HERE.