Avoid Sedentary Behavior Among Kids Through Youth Sports

Today’s youth spend a considerable amount of time with media. One study found that time spent watching TV, videos, DVDs, and movies averaged slightly over 3 hours per day among children aged 8–18 years. Several studies have found a positive association between the time spent viewing television and increased prevalence of overweight in children. Media use, and specifically television viewing, may:

• displace time children spend in physical activities
• contribute to excessive snacking and eating meals in front of the TV
• influence children to make unhealthy food choices through exposure to food advertisements
• lower children’s metabolic rate

If this has piqued your interest in getting your kid off the couch, then consider getting them involved in youth sports. From park and recreation programs to established club teams, there are plenty of opportunities to trade computer time for physical activity. Physical activity will not only promote health, but also improve psychological well-being.

Working toward a goal of participating in some form of physical activity on most days of the week, some examples include:

• playing volleyball for 45-60 minutes
• playing touch football for 45 minutes
• walking 1 ¾ miles in 35 minutes (20min/mile)
• playing basketball for 15-20 minutes
• shooting baskets for 30 minutes
• bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes
• bicycling 4 miles in 15 minutes
• dancing for 30 minutes
• water aerobics for 30 minutes
• swimming laps for 20 minutes
• jumping rope for 15 minutes
• running 1 ½ miles in 15 minutes (10min/mile)

Utimately, kids should spend at least 60 minutes a day on physical activity. Mix and match activities to achieve a complete workout. And remember, kids follow the lead of adults. So jump in from time to time to make physical activity fun!

Tagged overweight-children, Physical Activity, sedentary-time