What Happens When Kids Don't Exercise

In Australia, 1 in 4 kids are considered overweight or obese. The likelihood of obesity increases dramatically in adulthood, where almost 2 in 3 Australian adults are now considered overweight or obese. Given that obesity is Australia’s second highest contributor to the burden of disease (ahead of smoking!), good habits must be formed early in life. Proper physical activity is one way we can combat obesity, and reduce the risks of associated diseases. Also, parents are key to helping form good exercise habits and encouraging healthy behaviours. So, what happens to our kids when they don’t engage in enough physical activity?

1. Stress Increases

Childhood stress has increased over the last few decades, with 40% of kids reporting feeling stressed and overly worried. Prolonged stress in young children can slow, or even stop, brain development and physical growth. Furthermore, a study at Princeton University found that mice who exercised were better equipped to handle stressful scenarios than inactive mice. Regular exercise relieves the stress response and counters it with the release of feel-good hormones.

2. Mood Swings

Lack of exercise can lead to a diminished sense of well-being. Good mental health is vital for learning and life, and helps kids enjoy their daily experiences, build positive and meaningful relationships with others, and develop vital coping skills for later in life. Vigorous aerobic exercise stimulates your body to release endorphins and dopamine, which helps to elevate kids’ mood, relieve anxiety and reduce the risk of developing depression.

3. Lack of Sleep

Lack of exercise also affects sleep patterns positively. The recommendation is that school age kids and teens sleep between 9 and 11 hours a night, depending on their age. However, inactive children are more likely to have difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. Sleep deprivation builds over time, so an hour or so less per night can equate to nearly a whole night of missed sleep by the end of the week. Not enough sleep can cause attention problems, inconsistent performance, short-term memory loss and delays in response times. When kids exercise regularly they find it’s much easier to maintain regular and healthy sleep patterns.

4. Reduced School Performance

Exercise boosts brain power and improves academic results. Also, research proves that moderate activity increases brain function, cognition and academic performance in children. Moreover, exercise boosts the blood flow to the brain which assists kids with everything, from concentration and alertness to problem solving. Lack of physical activity means that your children may miss out on these benefits, and not reach their full academic potential at school.

5. Increase Risk Of Disease

It’s more difficult to maintain a healthy weight and regulate blood pressure without regular physical activity. Overweight kids are more prone to developing high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, they do not strengthen their bones and muscles, increasing the risks for brittle bones, osteoporosis and muscle atrophy when they are older. Regular exercise can help to reduce the risk of developing disease, now and in later life.

Our Kids Need Exercise

So, the message is clear: physically active kids are physically and psychologically healthier and perform better in school. However, in this modern era of technology, more and more kids are sedentary and not getting their daily recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. In fact, a study shows that 3 out of 4 kids are not getting enough exercise. Kids and teens are more likely than ever before to spend hours every day in front of TVs, mobile devices and computers, watching videos, playing games, or using social media. One of the best ways to encourage kids to be active is by limiting sedentary activities.

Physical activity guidelines

Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines recommend that:

• Children between the ages of 2 and 5 should have less than an hour of sedentary screen time per day.
• Children and teens between the ages of 5 and 17 should limit the use of electronic media for entertainment to no more than 2 hours per day.

Initially, it can be difficult to limit sedentary behaviour in kids. However, the health benefits of increased physical activity make it worthwhile. Remember that instilling healthy habits from a young age will set your child up for life. Especially as they experience the rewards associated with exercise and physical activity.

Tips for getting your child off the couch

If you’re having difficulty getting your child off the couch, and moving, try these tips:

• Encourage your kids to participate in a variety of age appropriate activities. Team sports and extra-curricular activities are great for building skills and keeping active. During school holidays consider a sports camp at Australian Sports Camps to keep them safe, occupied and active. ASC offer 10+ sports; grouping kids by age and ability. This is also a great opportunity to discover if a sport is right for your child before you sign them up to a club.
• Establish a regular schedule for physical activity. Team sports are great for this as they have scheduled training and games. Consistency is the key to forming good habits, that your child will carry into adulthood.
• Lead by example. Embrace a healthier lifestyle yourself, and make being active part of your everyday life. This can be as small as taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking/riding your bikes to school together.
• Most importantly, keep it fun. Your kids will be more likely to continue if they are enjoying themselves.

If you’re not sure where to get started when getting your kids more active, Australian Sports Camps coaching programs are a great way to sample different sports for a few days each to see what your child enjoys the most.