At a glance
- The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans states that school-aged youth should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.
- Regular physical activity promotes mental and physical health and fitness.
- Physical activity can prevent heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Overview
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. The document recommends that children and adolescents aged 6–17 years do 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
Regular physical activity in children and adolescents promotes health and fitness. Compared to their inactive peers, physically active youth have higher levels of fitness, lower body fat, and stronger bones and muscles.
- Physical activity also has brain health benefits for school-aged children. These benefits include improved cognition (academic performance, memory) and reduced symptoms of depression.
- Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence can also be important for promoting lifelong health and well-being. Moreover, regular physical activity prevents risk factors for various health conditions like heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Key guidelines for children and adolescents
It is important to offer young people options and encouragement to participate in physical activities. The activities should be varied, age appropriate, and enjoyable. Children and adolescents aged 6–17 years should do 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
- Aerobic: Most of the 60 minutes or more per day should be either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. They should include vigorous-intensity physical activity on at least 3 days a week.
- Muscle-strengthening: Children and adolescents should do muscle-strengthening physical activity at least 3 days a week.
- Bone-strengthening: Children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity at least 3 days a week. These activities apply forces to the bones (often from ground impact) to promote bone growth and strength, such as running and jumping jacks.
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- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. 2018.