Be a FIT KID

Introduction

Physical inactivity has become a serious problem. Promotion of physical activity among children is imperative. This Digest discusses the importance of and ways to encourage activity and exercise in children. But given the opportunity and interest, teens can reap health benefits from almost any activity they enjoy, from yoga, swimming, dancing, or kicking a football and playing basketball tennis squash etc .Physical education offers many benefits: development of motor skills needed for enjoyable participation in physical activities; promotion of physical fitness; increased energy expenditure; and promotion of positive attitudes toward an active lifestyle. Evidence also exists that physical education may enhance academic performance, self-concept, and mental health. Healthy students are better able to concentrate on their work attend school on regular basis and perform better in classes

Importance of physical activity.

Physical activity has been defined as "bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that result in energy expenditure". Even modest increases in energy expenditure can have health-enhancing effects, including: Reduction in chronic disease risk--hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high blood lipids, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Even among children and adolescents, physical activity can prevent or delay the development of hypertension, can reduce blood pressure in those young people who already have hypertension and can lower risk of colon cancer.

Kids who are active will:

· Feel less stressed and sleep better at night.

· Feel better about themselves and have a better outlook of life.

· Feel more ready to learn in school

· Keep a healthy weight

· Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints have stronger muscles and bones

How Much Physical Activity One Should Indulge Into?

Cardiovascular risk factors can be reduced with low to moderate levels of physical activity (40-60% of a person's maximal aerobic capacity). And, low- to moderate-intensity activity is less likely to cause musculoskeletal injury and sudden heart attack death during exercise. Current recommendations state that children and adults should strive for at least 30 minutes daily of moderate intensity physical activity. An alternate approach would be to engage in 5- to 10-minute bouts of moderate intensity activity throughout the day, for a total accumulation of at least 30 minutes for adolescents and adults and 60 minutes for children. Children and adults who already engage in regular activity may benefit from more vigorous activity.

Childhood Obesity: A Cause for Worry.

More children today are overweight or obese than ever before. "Overweight" means weight more than is recommended for a given height. This is of particular concern because body weight and overfatness in children are significant cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors, and the risk tracks into adolescence and young adulthood if not checked in childhood. In addition, obese children often experience exclusion from social groups and low self-esteem. Particularly detrimental to health is central (abdominal) body fat. Studies examining the relationship between physical activity and abdominal fat suggest that those who are more active are less likely to deposit fat in the abdominal area. Physical activity is thus a key element in the prevention and treatment of both chronic disease and obesity.

How Can We Promote Physical Activity Among Young People?

QUALITY DAILY PHYSICAL EDUCATION

In addition to being physically active, children need to learn fundamental motor skills and develop health related physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition). Physical education, provided at school, is an ideal way to encourage activity and develop fitness among children and, for many children, will be their only preparation for an active lifestyle.

Importance of Physical Fitness in Sports: Direct relationship exists.

Interdependence of Performance Fitness Components

o Power o Strength o Muscular Endurance o Cardiovascular Endurance o Speed o Power

Dr Ira Arora ( Physiotherapist)