Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

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.

Graphic with health benefits of physical activity for children, which are outlined on this page.

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.