The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that youth between 6-17 years of age participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.¹

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity:

• Helps reduce the risk of developing obesity and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colon cancer.²
• Helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles.²
• Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and promotes psychological well-being.²
• May help improve students’ academic performance, including academic achievement and grades, academic behavior, and concentration and attentiveness in the classroom.³

References

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2008.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2008.
3. CDC. The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance. Atlanta. GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Health and Physical Education, and Physical Activity Program (HPE)