The Benefits of Physical Activity

People of all ages, both male and female, benefit from regular physical activity.

According to the Surgeon General, significant health benefits can be obtained by including a moderate amount of physical activity on most, if not all days of the week.

Regular physical activity can help you:

• sleep better
  
• maintain weight
  
• have more energy
  
• increase your sense of well-being
  
• reduce stress
  
• help you live longer
  

Regular activity can prevent or delay:

• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• osteoporosis (brittle bones)

Importance of Physical Activity For Kids:

• Physical activity:
  • helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles
  • helps control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat
  • reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and promotes psychological well-being.
• Girls who play sports have higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of depression.
• Teenage female athletes are less than half as likely to get pregnant
• Kids born today are expected to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents due to inactivity and diet.
• Mastering physical skills or being physically competent is extremely important to young children
• Verbal encouragement to engage in physical activity alone does not have a strong effect on girls' participation. Modeling is most important
• Raising healthy children requires an investment in physical activity.
• Involving kids in sports and physical activity provides opportunities for young people to build positive qualities (assets) for healthy growth and development. It can teach them constructive use of time, achievement and motivation, healthy lifestyle, and planning and decision making skills.