Fitness and Your 13- to 18-year-old
Kids who enjoy exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives. The revised weight, feeling more energetic, and promoting a better outlook. Participating in team and individual sports, can boost sports injuries. The possibilities to get physically fit are endless.
Teens can also incorporate activity into their everyday routine, such as walking to school, doing chores, or finding an active part-time job. Even younger teens can enjoy opportunities to take on new responsibilities and be in charge, so jobs as junior camp counselors, baby sitters, or assistant coaches for young sports teams can serve that need while also providing the child with a chance to be active.
Motivating Teens to be Active
Teens face many new social and academic pressures in addition to dealing with emotional and physical changes. Recent studies have shown that teens on average are spending more than 6 hours a day on various media, including watching television, listening to music, going online, and playing video games. It's not surprising that teens can't seem to find the time to exercise and many parents find it difficult to motivate their teens to get active.
It's a good idea to give your child control over how he or she decides to be physically active. Since teens are defining themselves as individuals and want the power to make their own decisions, they are reluctant to do yet another thing they're told to do. Emphasize that it's not what they do, they just need to physically active on a regular basis. There are plenty of options for physical activity, but to keep them motivated it has to be fun. Support your child's choices by providing equipment, transportation, and companionship. Peers can play an influential role in your child's life at this point, so create opportunities for them to be active with their friends.
Once they get started, many teens enjoy the feeling of well-being, reduced overweight or very sedentary may need to start slowly and your teen's doctor may be able to recommend programs or help you devise a fitness plan.
A teen with a chronic health condition or disability should not be excluded from fitness activities. Some activities may need to be modified or adapted, and some may be too risky depending on your child's condition. Consult your teen's doctor about which activities are safe.
On the other hand, some teens may overdo it when it comes to fitness. Young athletes, particularly those involved in gymnastics, wrestling, or dance, may face pressures to lose weight. If your teen refuses to eat certain food groups (such as fats), becomes overly concerned with body image, appears to be steroids particularly in sports where size and strength are valued. Talk with your child's doctor if you suspect your child is using steroids or other performance-enhancing substances.
Finally, if your child complains of pain during sports and exercise, speak with your child's doctor.
Fitness for Everyone
Everyone can benefit from being physically fit. Staying fit can help improve your child's self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses (such as heart disease and stroke) later in life. In addition, regular physical activity can help your teen learn to meet physical and emotional challenges he or she faces every day.
Part of helping your teen commit to fitness may include becoming a positive role model by regularly exercising on your own and with your child. Try to spend time being active together. Take bike rides, hit a tennis ball around, go to a local swimming pool, or even play games like capture the flag and touch football together. Not only are you working together to reach your fitness goals, it's a great opportunity to stay connected with your teen.
Updated and reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD