A sedentary lifestyle in teens (and adults) can increase risks of physical and mental health issues. We all want our teens to be as healthy as possible, and we want to protect them from the mental health issues that plague so many adolescents, robbing them of their joy and, in too many cases, their lives.
Our teens, on the other hand (at least about 80% of them), have other plans that involve more time spent video gaming, scrolling, and relaxing in climate-controlled environments.
Parents, a new study finds that one of the best ways to help a teen stay active may be to start instilling the habit when they’re still toddlers.
There’s A Correlation Between Toddler Activity & Teen Activity
A study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics shows that activity levels in early childhood are directly linked to activity levels a full decade later. The study followed over 1,600 children (approximately equal numbers of boys and girls) from age two-and-a-half through age twelve, and examined their reported activity and screen time levels.
They found a clear connection. Kids who spent more time in active play as toddlers were more likely to engage in active outdoor play by age 12, too. In girls, there was also a noticeable trend of higher levels of physical leisure activity overall, whether indoor or outdoor. The researchers conclude:
“Early family participation in active leisure with toddlers and limitations on screen use forecasted more active lifestyle habits by early adolescence, above and beyond pre-existing individual/family factors. Parental awareness and monitoring of early child movement guidelines foster healthy growth and development trajectories, thus promoting long-term wellness.”
A Few Caveats
The study relies on self-reported activity levels, but the correlations remain strong and relevant.
Activity levels at both toddler and tween ages may be strongly tied to family lifestyles or individual tendencies, so the data may not be as direct as concluding that activity levels in toddlerhood cause activity levels in preteens or into adolescence. That said, researchers found that toddlers’ activity levels were a strong predictor of later activity levels.
A very significant concern is that, while the study data is new, it’s based on children born in 1997 and 1998, which means that they were 12 around 2010, and screen use has become so much more prevalent in the decade and a half since then, that (even aside from the pandemic period) activity levels have really taken a hit.
In short, the data were already strong by 2010, and concern about teens with sedentary lifestyles and excessive screen time has only increased.
What Are Sedentary Lifestyles Costing Our Teens?
A study published last year in the Journal of Psychology Research and Behavior Management examined the link between low-activity lifestyles in teens and mental health.
In that study of nearly 3,000 adolescents, researchers compared activity levels to several mental health factors, including anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and self-esteem. There was a clear link between more sedentary lifestyles and higher scores on anxiety and depression assessments (where higher scores mean more or stronger symptoms).
Sleep quality also suffered with lower activity levels.
The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity for kids between the ages of 6 and 17, in order to develop strong bones and a healthy body. Kids who get less than that can be at higher risk for health problems like obesity and high blood pressure.
What Should Parents Do?
If you have a toddler, start engaging him in active play now! Bike rides, the playground, climbing structures, play gyms, or even just running around the yard, are good starts. Toddlers are usually happy to engage in active play, so now’s the time to help them build a life-long association between movement and joy.
If your child is older, don’t despair! You can still help him have an active lifestyle. Look into sports, martial arts, dance classes, and other active activities he can enjoy with peers (while taking your child’s interests into account).
If you already have a sedentary teen, it may be a bit harder to make changes, but it’s still doable, especially if the adults are willing to set an example by participating in new activities as well. Go for fun experiences like swimming, hiking, or biking, and set limits on screen time.
