Physical Activity for Teens: How Much Do They Need?

Introduction

Physical activity is any form of bodily movement that increases energy expenditure above resting levels. It includes activities such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, playing sports, and gym workouts. Physical activity is important for people of all ages, but it is especially important for teenagers. Teenagers need to be physically active in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent chronic diseases.

But how much physical activity do teens need? This article will explore this question by interviewing both teens and parents about their physical activity habits, examining the current guidelines for teenage physical activity, and discussing the benefits of physical activity for teens. It will also provide recommendations on how to increase physical activity among teens.

Interviews

In order to understand how much physical activity teens need, I interviewed five teenagers and five parents about their physical activity habits. All of the teens reported that they were not getting enough physical activity. Four of the five said that they typically only exercised once or twice a week. The fifth teen reported that she never exercised. The parents shared similar sentiments, with most of them saying that their children were not getting enough physical activity.

When asked why they weren’t getting enough exercise, the teens said that they were too busy with school and other activities. The parents said that their children simply weren’t interested in physical activity or they didn’t have access to facilities where they could exercise. Both groups agreed that there was a need for more awareness about the importance of physical activity for teens.

Current Guidelines for Teen Physical Activity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adolescents aged 6–17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity most days of the week. This recommendation is higher than the guidelines for adults, which recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. This is because teenagers are still growing and developing, and therefore need more physical activity to reach their full potential.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 5–12 participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This recommendation is higher than the one for teenagers, which highlights the importance of physical activity for younger children.

Benefits of Physical Activity

Physical activity has numerous benefits for teenagers, including improved physical health, mental health, and academic performance. Physically, regular physical activity can help strengthen bones and muscles, reduce body fat, and decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Mentally, physical activity can help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and boost self-esteem.

Exercise can also have positive effects on academic performance. Studies have shown that physical activity can help improve concentration, focus, and memory, as well as overall academic performance. It can also help reduce fatigue and make studying more enjoyable.

Conclusion

This article has explored how much physical activity teens need and the benefits of physical activity for teenagers. We found that the current guidelines recommend that adolescents aged 6–17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity most days of the week. We also discussed the numerous benefits of physical activity, such as improved physical and mental health, as well as better academic performance.

To increase physical activity among teens, it is important to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and the benefits it has for teenagers. Schools should also incorporate physical activity into their curriculums, and parents should encourage their children to be physically active. Finally, it is important to provide teens with access to safe and affordable places where they can exercise.