NZReps highlights the benefits of exercise for children these school holidays

With the NZ Ministry of Health reporting that 31% of children aged two-14 years are overweight, the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) has highlighted that there are plenty of opportunities for children to get outside and active – especially with school holidays coming up in New Zealand, the weather improving, and the days getting longer. This activity also means they eat and sleep better, burn up excess energy, as well as being a chance for families to get moving together.

NZREPs notes however that despite the opportunities for being active, there is plenty of evidence that children aren’t moving as much as they used to and as a result, New Zealand is facing a generation of less active and less healthy children.

Getting kids active helps them with their physical development including building strong bones, muscles and joints, and a healthy heart and lungs. It also improves their balance, coordination and cognitive skills, and it will help them be more confident and socially interactive.

And the benefits aren’t just physical. Researchers from the University of Granada have proven that physical activity levels in children may affect their brain structure, which in turn may have an influence on their academic performance. The researchers have confirmed that physical activity levels in children (especially aerobic capacity and motor ability) is associated with a greater volume of grey matter in several cortical and subcortical brain regions.

While physical activity and childhood goes together, more and more there is competition for getting active. Nearly half of children aged 5-14 years (53%) usually watch two or more hours of television a day, and this time increases into the teen years.

As such, NZREPs advises “we cannot just assume children will stay active. Just as we plan time to exercise and engage in physical activity ourselves, we need to make sure this happens for our children as well.”

NZReps offers suggestions for ways to integrate activity into family life with young children. These include: 

• Limiting screen time as much as possible

• Whenever possible use active transport options

• Involve your children in your activity and exercise choices. While it may not be appropriate to take your pre-schooler to the gym, they can come along for active family activities.

• Get the children to help around the house and garden, and teach them that working up a sweat is a positive thing.

NZReps adds “once children head into their teenage years and beyond, there’s no reason they can’t enjoy exercise in the way we do. While children who already enjoy sport and exercise will likely continue to be active, those who prefer to work at their own pace, or may need a little more encouragement, most exercise facilities and registered trainers offer student package options which means you can set your teenager up with safe and supported exercise advice.”

For more information on NZ Register of Exercise Professionals go to exercisenz.org.nz