The Problem of Lack of Exercise for Children

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The Problem of Lack of Exercise for Children

10 years ago, many Parents didn't have to work at getting young

children to be active. Most children were constantly in continual

motion. But these days even young children are inactive and more

dependent upon adults to provide them with different forms of exercise

such as sport.

Lack of exercise is a major reason for the growing rate of obesity

among children. One cause of this is the new modern day technologies

which have boomed in this generation and therefore have created ‘couch

potato’ children. Examples of these ‘distractions’ are computer games

and television.

Watching TV for even as few as two to five hours per week is linked to

being overweight and as a result of this, the percentage of overweight

children had doubled in the last 30 years.

Dr Aric Sigman, of the British Psychological Society explains that

most of the unpleasant health affects recognized that are linked with

TV viewing are related to duration of viewing. He quotes that “There's

nothing to be lost by watching less TV but a great deal to be lost by

continuing to watch as we do”.

Another Cause of obesity is unhealthy junk food. The varieties of

foods have also changed in the last 10 years. Nowadays, children are

excessively eating more fatty foods such as chocolate or chips which

therefore increase the figures of obesity in children every year. 2o

percent of British children are overweight and 10 percent are obese.

Benefits of exercise:

Exercise can help strengthen children's bones now as well as later in

life. Children who partake in weight-bearing, impact sports such as

running, gymnastics a...

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...PA's (The British United Provident Association is a global health

and care organisation) assistant medical director Dr. Paula Franklin

says: "With the

growing problems of childhood and adult obesity in Britain it is vital

that we inspire young people to exercise regularly and eat healthily.

Research also suggests that regular exercise affects overall

well-being and can even have a positive impact on academic grades."

In conclusion, yes it is a problem that our children aren’t enough

exercise due to all the health problems they could face in the future.

Daily exercise has many positive factors which is why adults should

encourage physical activities such as sport as much as possible,

especially because of all the modern day unhealthy distractions that

children face.

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