Kids today live in a very different world to the one their parents grew up in.
In 2019 The Australian Department of Health released the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines which recommend that children and young people aged between 5 and 17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.
The Guidelines also say that children and young people should spend no more than 120 minutes using screens each day and should break up long periods of sitting.
But another study called the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey found that most Australian children and adolescents are not meeting these recommendations. And it’s no surprise when you consider how connected our children are and how much digital technology they use in their everyday lives both at school and at home.
This is particularly concerning when we know that low levels of physical activity increase the risk of developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis later in life.
This lack of physical activity is also having an impact on the mental wellbeing of our children with increasing numbers of kids experiencing anxiety and depression.
Encouraging our kids to exercise really is a no-brainer when exercise delivers so many physical and mental benefits, including improved sleep quality, enhanced moods, stronger muscles and bones and better brain function.
Research also shows that the habits we develop as children often stay with us as adults, so helping your child develop good exercise habits at a young age can help ensure they enjoy a healthy adulthood.
Many adults view exercise as a chore, and as something they ‘should’ do rather than something they want to do. You can help your child develop a more positive attitude to exercise by encouraging them explore different types of exercise and find things they enjoy.
Incorporating a variety of planned and incidental exercise can also make exercise seem less of a chore. Kicking a ball at the local park after school, walking to the local shops and backyard cricket games can all help increase activity levels in a fun and spontaneous way, while organised team sports can reinforce the idea of exercise as a habit.
Mixing it up by switching between endurance, strength, and flexibility exercises over the course of a week will keep it interesting and fun while maximising the physical and mental health benefits for your child.
Of course, kids will still be spending time on screens but gradually achieving a healthier balance of sedentary and active time will set them up for a much healthier adulthood.
BeFit Hire offers safety and convenience, with a comprehensive range of home fitness equipment available including including upright and incumbent exercise bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, and manual and programmable cross-trainers.
BeFit Hire is a proudly family-owned business and has been operating for more than 50 years, offering only the highest standard of service to every customer.
You can rest easy knowing your BeFit agent has tested, cleaned and disinfected your hire equipment, with free delivery to most of metro Adelaide and Melbourne for most hire periods. Contactless delivery is also available if you are in medically directed or voluntary self-isolation.
Photos from Shutter Stock
