Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Health Benefits in Children

Abstract

In children physical activity (PA) is inversely related to risk factors for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, fat mass, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and poor lipid profile, while it helps in the development of healthy bones, muscles, and joints. Moreover, PA influences favorably social and psychological functioning in children. Adequate PA levels in childhood are likely to carry favorable behavioral and biological effects into later life. Promotion of PA, especially in the school setting, is likely to result in children engaging in physical activity in adulthood. Current recommendations call for 60 or more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. Moreover, specific types of physical activity should be included in the weekly physical activity schedule of children and adolescents to add comprehensive health benefits; muscle-strengthening physical activity, vigorous aerobic physical activity, and bone-strengthening physical activity should be performed 3 or more days per week for 60 min or more per day. This chapter summarizes recent experimental and epidemiologic evidence on the role of PA activity on children’s health.