What to know
Physical activity is good for children in many ways. Benefits include improved academic performance, brain health, muscular fitness, heart and lung health, cardiometabolic health, long-term health, bone strength, and measures of a healthy weight.
Benefits
- Improves attention and memory.
- Reduces risk of depression.
- Builds strong muscles and endurance.
- Improves blood pressure and aerobic fitness.
- Helps maintain normal blood sugar levels, sometimes called cardiometabolic health.
- Reduces risk of several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Strengthens bones.
- Helps regulate body weight and reduce body fat.
Source: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition