Why Fitness Is Important for Teens
By Glenn Tucker
With the increasing focus on childhood obesity, the health of children and teenagers is under the media spotlight, and arguably, there needs to be more of an understanding of how to encourage teenagers to get fit. Statistics suggest teenagers spend nearly 30 hours every week watching television and eating fatty junk foods. In terms of exercise, there is very little activity amongst teens. There are so many who do not engage in physical activities that it is probably not surprising that obesity rates are up. Many teens can even get away with not doing PE in school later on in their academic life. It is important, therefore, to highlight the importance of fitness for teens in an engaging way.
Physical fitness is integral as it strengthens the body against illness, makes muscles stronger and pumps blood to the heart more frequently. It also prevents fatigue and should make teens more agile. Most teens lack physical activity which has a major affect on their metabolism. If you are stuck inside all day it is more than likely you will pass the time by watching television, playing games and eating. This results in obesity and as soon as the body becomes bigger, they become more dependent on this and it can affect academic performance and lifestyle as well as overall fitness. More so, teens with heavier bodies are more likely to develop diabetes, heart problems and arthritis.
Fitness can help teens. They can take up sports or join school or university sports clubs or sports teams. This can help with self-worth, making friends and team and leadership skills. They can also get involved with things like school sports days to help get fitter and more active. Swimming is important and many gyms, health clubs and leisure centres provide swimming classes and competitions, as do schools. Sports like football and cricket are also popular amongst teenagers and even playing these at lunch times allows for better fitness. It is also a group activity and a desire to work in a team and an appetite for winning can spur teens on to better fitness through sport.
Teens can also shape their own fitness. They can walk to school or college and if they have a job can walk or cycle back and forth from there and this helps cardiovascular muscle strength in their bodies. It will also burn off any lingering calories their body is carrying. There are cycling clubs for teens to join. With the Olympics not far off, cycling could provide an aspiration for the future if teenagers get into the sport. It's a great incentive to take greater care with their health.
Some teens care about their bodies and care, sometimes too much, about the way they look. A lot of teens join gyms to build up their bodies and prepare them for later life and generally make them feel better about themselves. If they combine this with a balanced diet it can go a long way to prevent obesity. It is a three-way responsibility here: of the parent, of the school and of the teenagers themselves.
Fitness for teens is emphasised as important more and more in the modern world. By getting involved in sport, focusing on physical fitness, getting involved with a local team, going cycling or swimming, and walking more to and from places, these obesity numbers can be severely reduced. If not, then problems may persist later on in life and this may have serious effects on the future health of the current teenage generation. That is why health and exercise for teens needs to be more greatly highlighted.
Esporta health club and gym - Whether you are looking to get fit and lose weight in the gym, exercise with a personal trainer, relax or unwind with your family, treat yourself to a Spa Day or meet and socialise with like-minded people then Esporta have the facilities to match.
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