Alternative Names
Children and exercise
Information
Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day to be healthy. Lack of physical activity is contributing to a dangerous increase in childhood obesity.
Children should be given many opportunities to play, run, bike, and participate in sports, preferably on a daily basis. Exercise should be appropriate for the child's age. For example, a 6-year-old may play outside, while a 16-year-old may run at a track. Encourage your child to build strength, flexibility, and
Children generally shouldn't be expected to exercise in the routine, formal way adults do (such as walking 3 miles every day or lifting weights). Instead, children should have activities that are:
- Aerobic (such as walking to school)
- Muscle strengthening (such as climbing on playground equipment)
- Bone strengthening (such as running, jumping rope, or playing basketball)
Aerobic exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, and bone strengthening exercises should be included at least three times a week. Many activities combine these different types of exercise.
