Most kids today do not have part-time jobs hauling hay, building fences, milking cows or numerous other physically demanding jobs that require physical fitness. This lack of fitness can lead to life-long health problems. To avoid potential health problems, healthy habits must begin in childhood and adolescence. Physical activity has been shown to improve aerobic endurance and muscle strength and favorably affect blood lipid profiles, resting blood pressure and bone mass. It also improves flexibility and balance and lowers risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses.
Many health professionals are concerned about the effect of childhood weight status on adult weight.
It appears that obesity during adolescence is a stronger predictor of adult obesity than obesity earlier in childhood. Numerous research studies have shown that our children are getting larger and heavier. Interestingly, even if the children are larger and heavier, a number of studies show that the energy intake based on reported food consumption has remained relatively stable over time. Thus, it appears that the increase in obesity is due to decreased physical activity and not just due to food ingestion. Although difficult to substantiate, trends in physical activity appear to be decreasing.