Some parents encourage their kids to be sedentary. They even stay with them and engage in seated activities like playing video games. Doing this once in a while is not bad, but making it a habit can be detrimental to the young ones' health. Encouraging fitness in children is one thing parents should include at the helm of their must-do list. Building a robust foundation at a tender age offers immense health benefits as children age and also deliver immediate results.

There are many benefits of encouraging fitness in children. They include, but not limited to:

Reduced Risk of Becoming Obese or Overweight

When you don't encourage your child to exercise, the unused calories will be stored in the body as fat. This will result in obesity or overweight. Eventually, the child will start developing lifestyle diseases such as heart diseases and childhood diabetes. Additionally, obese children are subject to bullying, and they often have low self-esteem. When children eat healthy foods and exercise, excess calories are reduced, and fat is well distributed in the body. This helps in maintaining a healthy weight.

Reduced Cancer Risk

Now, more than ever, there are thousands of children who are diagnosed with cancer every year. Research shows that people who exercise regularly are less likely to get cancer than those who don't. By encouraging your children to make good use of indoor gym and other accessories you have bought for them, you will guard them against different types of cancers, including cancer of the colon, liver, kidney, and more. This is because physical activity boosts the circulation of cancer-preventive insulin and estrogen in the body.

Low Blood Pressure

Physical fitness in children improves the flexibility of blood vessels, and this reduces blood pressure. For children to enjoy this benefit, parents and caregivers should encourage them to blend activities that increase flexibility and strength with aerobic activities such as running and walking.

Better Emotional Health

Through regular exercise, the brain releases more serotonin and endorphins in children, which helps them feel a greater sense of optimism and wellbeing, which helps in fighting anxiety and depression. Additionally, exercising helps them develop positive self-esteem and self-image. Better emotional health is integral in all aspects of children's lives and could influence their school performance and how they interact with others.

Stronger Bones

Another reason why parents need to encourage fitness in children is that exercising increases bone density. Children need to remain physically active since their young age is the best time to develop stronger bones and prevent diseases that come later on in life, such as osteoporosis. Encourage your children to do as much exercise as possible. Make it fun by investing in exciting products such as climbing ropes and spider nets.

Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Children who don't engage in physical activities often develop insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, leading to type 2 diabetes. Childhood diabetes has become rampant, and preventing it through healthy food and regular exercise cannot be overlooked.

Stronger Lungs

When children are physically fit, it simply means they are expelling more carbon dioxide and inhaling more oxygen. This increases through lung capacity, and this improves their respiratory, brain, and heart health.

Energy Boost

Encouraging overall fitness in children boosts blood circulation, which, in turn, improves their energy levels, focus, and concentration. Additionally, exercise balances energy levels so that they don't get fatigued throughout the day.