In the United States, one of the biggest causes of childhood obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. Engaging in sports is a way to prevent your kids from gaining too much weight.
Obesity is also one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Apart from an unhealthy diet, a lack of physical activity can cause weight gain before you can start making adjustments to their lifestyle. How do you incorporate exercise into your kids’ life while also making it fun for them? Take them to the speed pitch cage, hardcourt, or sign them up for one of these sports:
1. Football
The number one sport that kids love to play is football. In this sport, kids move every part of their body, which makes it a great form of cardio for them. Besides that, football can teach valuable lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, and hard work. Additional physical benefits include strengthening of muscles and improving flexibility, coordination, and balance.
2. Cycling
Learning how to ride a bike is one of the significant milestones in any kid’s childhood. Why not turn it into a regular activity? Bicycling is a fun type of exercise that improves leg strength, coordination of reflexes, and balance, along with weight control. Biking around the neighborhood can also instill independence in kids, which help build their character. And chances are they’re going to meet other kids on their bikes, too.
3. Swimming
Kids should learn how to swim at an early age so that you can rest well knowing that they can survive in water. Swimming is not only a full-body workout, but it’s going to improve cardiovascular and respiratory function as well. If your kid is afraid of water, signing them up for swimming lessons in summer can help them overcome their fears.
4. Basketball
Basketball is a popular sport for kids, thanks to all the NBA teams that make it seem so cool. If your kid plays the sport, their hand-eye coordination will be improved, along with footwork, agility, and reflexes. And since basketball is a competitive team sport, your kid is bound to learn teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. Basketball is also one of the least dangerous sports out there, so you don’t need to worry much about them breaking bones or getting any serious injuries.
5. Tennis
Tennis is a fun sport that you and your child can bond over, and it doesn’t require much equipment. The main benefits of tennis are the development of arm strength, improvement of accuracy, and building of muscle strength. Even if it’s not as strenuous as other physically demanding sports, tennis helps improve cardiovascular fitness while developing mental aptitude.
Exercise is great, especially if you make it fun for you kid. In sports, there are a lot of physical and mental benefits, the most important one being the prevention of childhood obesity. There are many sports that you can choose from, but these five should spark some attention in your kid. Join them so you can have time to bond.
