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18 and Under Need to Exercise By: Kelly O'Neil  |
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 For the 18 and under crowd, exercising is usually the last thing on their minds, but with obesity and diseases like diabetes on the rise exercising is just as important for the under 18 crowd as it is for those who are older than 18.
In the past, kids 18 and under really didn’t have to worry about exercising, not because exercise isn’t important for them, but because kids used to get a lot more exercise just going about their business than they do today.
Today kids are much more likely to sit around and play video games than they are to get out and get active playing games like kickball with their friends. And when it comes to getting around, kids used to do a lot of bike riding, but these days, kids are much more likely to get rides in the car from parents or to have a car themselves.
What all this adds up to are kids that are too heavy and that are far too sedentary.
The good news is that kids don’t need to think about exercise the way adults think about exercise because, well they’re kids and they can get the exercise they need by just doing fun stuff with their friends after school and on weekends.
The time after school is probably the biggest waste of an opportunity for kids who need exercise. Rather than just coming home and parking in front of the television for some mindless viewing or for a few rounds of your favorite video game, why not get outside and play some outdoor games. Kickball was already mentioned, but there is also basketball, baseball, catch, bike riding, Frisbee, as well as a host of other popular games. Just taking a walk to a friend’s house to say hello is a great way to get some much needed exercise.
The weekend is another lost opportunity to get the exercise you need. Again, don’t just sit around and play video game, get outside and play real games. Why not get a friend and go bowling, or go walk around the mall. You have a whole weekend; why not make the most of it.
Exercise can seem really boring, but for the under 18 crowd, exercise can be doing the stuff kids love to do. So just don’t sit there, do something!
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