Globalmente, children are less active than they used to be, and scientists warn that this inactivity can have lasting effects on their health. The reduction in physical activity comes amid rising obesity rates, with 1 in 10 children and teenagers living with the condition. Increased sedentary time, stress, inadequate food quality and lower levels of participation in sports contributed to this scenario.
Segundo According to international recommendations, children should practice 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Muitas, however, does not achieve this goal. The concern is justified: physical inactivity in childhood is linked to less activity in adulthood, creating a cycle that is harmful to public health.
Impactos in health and the future
A longitudinal study that followed 712 Segunda Guerra Mundial veterans for 50 years found that high school sports participation was the strongest predictor of better health outcomes in their 70s. Aqueles who played sports also had fewer medical appointments and maintained greater physical activity in old age.
Pesquisas demonstrate that young people who participate in sports have:
- Menor body mass index (BMI)
- Menor waist circumference
- Melhor mental health
- Melhor academic and cognitive performance
- Maior probability of remaining active in adulthood
The good news is that understanding what makes children less active provides opportunities to encourage them to move more, bringing immediate and long-term benefits.
Proven cognitive Benefícios
Physical exercise benefits children today, says Nicole Logan, Universidade assistant professor of kinesiology. Segundo her, physical activity improves body composition and enhances positive cognitive functions as children develop into adolescence. Increased cardiorespiratory fitness also benefits the brain.
In a 9-month after-school exercise program, Logan and colleagues found that children with obesity had better cognitive outcomes than those who did not participate in the intervention. The activities took place after classes and included moderate to vigorous intensity exercises, 5 days a week. Reducing body fat was one of the main factors in the improvement, as fat stored around vital organs causes inflammation linked to poorer cognitive performance.
Aerobic fitness and physical activity are associated with greater accuracy in complex tasks, faster reaction times, and better inhibitory control. Isso helps children resist impulsive reactions and is essential for concentration.
Estratégias practices in schools
Aumentar physical activity does not necessarily need to involve structured sports. A study conducted on Massachusetts showed that simply expanding opportunities for movement before, during, and after school resulted in lower body mass indexes among elementary school students. Cerca 1 in 4 of these children had not played any sport in the year prior to the study.
Intervenções schoolchildren also showed promise. A recent study that encouraged teachers to reduce sedentary time in 30 Reino Unido schools found an 8% reduction in waist-to-hip ratio among participating children, as well as a 10% increase in sports participation. Teachers were encouraged to ask children to stand up when answering questions and move around the classroom more. Flaminia Ronca, main author of the study, highlights that it was not about structured exercise, but about reducing sedentary time. Como children spend much of the school day sitting, implementing creative ways to promote movement can significantly improve health.
Abordagem multidimensional child health
Ulla Toft, clinical professor in the health department of Universidade of Copenhague, says the most effective way to prevent childhood obesity is to improve the eating environment around children, promote physical activity and set rules about time spent in front of screens. Ela conducts a large-scale obesity intervention study at Dinamarca, focusing on 4 key areas: nutrition, physical activity, screen use, and sleep.
An integrated approach that combines supportive school environments, access to healthy foods and encouraging movement demonstrates more effective results. Nicole Logan proposes that schools implement 60 minutes of physical activity per day, removing the burden on parents to facilitate access to sports, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Evidence suggests that encouraging healthy behaviors from an early age can have lasting benefits. Pesquisas also indicate that the more active children are, the faster they react in cognitive tasks that involve attention and inhibitory control, reinforcing the importance of physical activity for balanced physical and mental development.