The Need for an Exercise Program for Children

Behind the social recluse status of the obese in our society, there are significant, easily preventable health risks involved with obesity. The most common health conditions associated with children who are obese because of lack of regular exercise and fun child outdoor games. These conditions include asthma, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, orthopedic problems, and most frightening, sleep apnea—a disorder in which breathing ceases during sleeping. Observably not permanently, but the effects are lack of focus and a significant increase in the lack of logical thought.
An exercise program in a form of child sports for your children is so important because of the large amount of health problems associated with those who are inactive—namely obesity.
To help your child steer clear of these health risks, not to mention the emotional risks of being outcast because of weight, you need to set them up on a regular exercise program. Children’s exercise programs in a form of sports or fun games are not hard to do—just get them outside or keep them inside, but focus on them getting active.
These exercise programs in a form sports or any child games has more to do with cardiovascular activities that burn lots of energy. Examples of great cardiovascular activities are running, swimming, rowing, canoeing, rock climbing—the list goes on. It also doesn’t need to be simply running—it can be a game of tag, catch, playing soccer outdoors; anything that gets your kids heart beating and gets them sweating a bit.
Research has also shown that overweight children tend to be more depressed than other children who are in shape In addition, physical activities, particularly cardiovascular activities can actually make you feel great. The so called “runner’s high” is caused when someone who is engaged a high amount of cardiovascular activity gets a massive dump of dopamine into the brain—a chemical that instills a euphoric state in the person doing the activity, a natural high.
It would seem reasonable that getting your child on an exercise program should be a prime as a parent to ensure the health and happiness of your child. But all along with the exercise goes a healthy diet, healthy relationships, staying active, and of course, laughing a lot.




