Teen Fitness May Play Out As Healthy Adults
By Sandy Schroeder
If you and your teen are making the effort to move more, you may be right on track, according to British researchers.
Tracking Teen Activity and Health
Doctors Mehmet Oz (you know him as Dr. Oz) and Michael Roizen recently focused on research from the U.K that found active adolescents have healthier metabolic profiles, which helps assure a healthier adult life.
The researchers studied 1,800 boys and girls, ages 12, 14 and 15, looking at metabolic markers such as good and bad cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, inflammation and C-reactive protein. They also looked at their activity levels from 2003 to 2008. The researchers found more active adolescents have healthier metabolic profiles, leading to healthier profiles as adults.
Activating Your Teen
Helping your teen become more active creates immediate benefits.
- A healthy weight is easier to maintain
- Exercise generates energy and positive attitudes
- Individual or team sports boost self-confidence
- New friends and fun become spontaneous
How to Get Started
Begin where they are and let them take the lead, picking activities and exercises that interest them. There are countless choices out there. All you need are a few that your teen really enjoys.
Support their choices - Provide transportation, equipment and opportunities to connect with their friends.
Help them fit activities into their schedule - Team sports take a lot of time. They may find it easier to join a local league after school.
Home exercise videos help - Encourage them to start with the videos and then move on to active participation of their choice.
Limit couch time - Watching TV, playing video games and using computers, tablets or smartphones can easily swallow up all of the available time.
Shoot for an Hour a Day
Start with a target of an hour a day and help them pick the best options. In-line skating, swimming, yoga, dancing, skateboarding, or weight training can improve strength, balance, and endurance. Physical activity can also become part of after-school jobs as teens become assistant coaches, camp counselors, babysitters or messengers.
Make It a Family Project
Helping kids stay active works best when we are active too. Consider taking a class together to learn a new sport, go biking, swim at a local pool or play touch football or soccer in the park. The list goes on from there with wilderness walks, jogging, running, water sports or winter sports. Start where you and your teen are comfortable and make the effort to stay active every day. The benefits, both immediate and long-term, are all good.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Maple Grove, Minn.