With the start of a new school year, it’s time to think about the school kids who now head back to school to get only about 30 minutes of physical activity during the day – and that’s if they take advantage of their recess time.  Kids need exercise at this time of their lives to help their developing bodies and to help their developing body image, but we all know how it is.  By the time most kids get home from school they want to relax.  The problem is that many kids now spend their “off” time watching television, playing video games and chatting with their friends on the Internet (and this doesn’t even take into account the time they need to spend doing homework each night).  I’m not trying to say that school and studying isn’t important.  It is important, but the schedule of school days and the rigor of homework leaves it up to the parents to change their evening routines to make sure their kids get the exercise and physical activity they need.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “It is recommended that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily.”  Lack of physical activity can lead to many problems in children such as weight problems, low muscular strength, poor aerobic fitness, lack of bone mass, high anxiety and stress and low self esteem.  Furthermore, school-age children need to have activities in their lives to help them start developing a healthy body image and the confidence they need to be successful in life.

Regular physical activity of any sort can help them be healthier.  Encouraging and modeling physical activities such as family walks and hikes, playing active games in the yard after dinner and allowing your kids to participate in organized sports all help.  However, activities like martial arts take this physical activity one step further because they continue year-round, focus on personal goals and achievements and incorporate mental and emotional training.  Furthermore, proper training changes and advances with your children as they need new challenges.

Whatever you do, it’s up to you as a parent to make sure your children are having a well-rounded day so that they can healthily grow intellectually, mentally and physically.