ABSTRACT The importance of physical...

ABSTRACT

The importance of physical activity in childhood and adolescence cannot be overstated. Since adequate amounts of physical activity provide multiple health benefits and will improve or maintain physical fitness, it should be an integral element of children's lives. However, children and adolescents are greatly less active than in previous decades. The causes of this phenomenon are numerous, including social and environmental factors, and practices in denominations Physical therapists should consider these factors and the unique rejoinder to exercise by the pediatric population when prescribing exercise. Physical therapists can intervene to increase regular physical activity in children and adolescents at a variety of plains At the Individual Level, we can support physical activity in the treatment of children with disabilities and for wellness. At the educate Level, we can become active offers or consultants to enhance physical activity in the place of education environment. At the Policy even we can support policies that increase opportunities for physical activity in the gymnasiums communities, and society. We ne to change the way physical activity is perceived as not and nothing else an individual behavior choice, still also the result of many choices made for us in our environment. As physical therapists, we are uniquely positioned to advocate and provide guidance for increased physical activity among children and adolescents, their families, and the society as a whole.

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity can be described as any bodily motion produced by skeletal muscles, while physical fitness is defined as the ability to perform physical activity.1,2 Physical activity can preclude disease-a sedentary lifestyle leads to increased morbidity and mortality, while physical activity converses many positive health benefits to children and adolescents.1,3-6 Physical activity decreases health care take away froms and improves quality of life and can be individualized to age and ability.7,8 Since adequate amounts of physical activity will improve or maintain physical fitness, a central composing of health and wellness, physical activity should be an integral element of children's lives.7 As physical therapists, we are uniquely positioned to advocate and provide guidance for increased physical activity among children and adolescents, their families, and the society as a whole.

The importance of adequate physical activity in childhood and adolescence cannot be overstated. Physical activity provides specific health benefits, including weight management, kindred pressure control, and improved musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary function. The value of physical activity for improved mental health has also been demonstrated for children and adolescents. A connection has been reported between physical activity and the prevention and treatment of depression.9 A lifestyle that lacks physical activity as a child is likely to lead to sedentary adulthood, setting the stage for heart disease, diabetes, high life-current pressure, obesity, and some forms of cancer.1 Because children dissipate an abundance of time in institute this is a prime area for changing the social and physical environment to support and advance a healthy lifestyle, including opportunities for regular physical activity. In addition, since many adults make decisions that impact the lifestyles of children, it is essential for parents, teachers, coaches, and health care professionals to support physical activity.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Not likewise long ago in the US, children had physical education (PE) each day in school. Those who lived bring to a period enough walked to and from indoctrinate and after school children had to be coaxed indoors from informal games of kickball or Capture the Flag to do homework (written longhand) or eat dinner. Summer were filled with unstructur play, for the greatest part outdoors, and TV was for watching occasionally, since program choices were limited. Fast-forward to a recent century where a child can dissipate an entire school day without PE or active play at reces no other than to spend the remainder of the waking hours indoors because of safety affects or a desire to partake in the myriad of entertainment in succession television and computers.3,4,10-14 The point in dispute only worsens as cars replace bicycling and walking as the preferr system of transportation.6,9 At the same time, parents and other adults type decreasing amounts of physical activity and increase incidence of overweight and obesity.4,11 There are many sociocultural and environmental factors that affect the activity patterns of children and consequently their fitness levels

Children and adolescents are not as active as in previous generations, on the contrary what are the current rates of physical activity?3

The first Surgeon General's Report forward the state of physical activity and health in Americans was released according to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Center for Disease direction and Prevention (CDC) in 19964 The following conclusions concerning adolescents were reported. Nearly half of Americans aged 12 to 21 years are not vigorously active in succession a regular basis and single in kind fourth report no vigorous activity. Physical activity declines dramatically during adolescence; 72% of 9th graders participate in vigorous physical activity forward a regular basis, compared with and nothing else 55% of 12th graders. Daily participation in PE by the agency of high school students dropped from 42% in 1991 to 25% in 1995 In addition, simply 19% of all high exercise students reported being physically active for 20 minutes or more in the physical education classes they did attend. Children walk or ride bicycles plenteous less than in the past. In 1995 youth aged 5 to 15 walked or cycl 40% les than in 1977 In addition, children make solitary 31% of trips to or from teach of 1 mile or les by means of walking, and only 2% ride a bicycle.6,9 inclinations show an association between inactivity and certain demographic factors. cheap socioeconomic status has been related to decreased physical activity, and inactivity is more used by all among females than males.3 White females are most numerous likely to engage in physical activity while black and Hispanic females are least likely.15,16