Childhood Cognitive Development And Exercise

America's children are not getting enough exercise, and the health risks due to obesity are becoming epidemic in nature. Even First Lady Michelle Obama is supporting an initiative to help children become more active and to provide for exercise (at least 30-60 minutes per day) in all schools. Even limited amounts of exercise can have great health benefits. When humans exercise, the brain produces chemicals that help enhance mood, limit cravings for sugars, and contribute to healthier joints, muscles, the heart, and kidneys. In turn, this translates into more productive work time, the ability to sleep better, increase memory, and reduce dependence on medications. Children are so vulnerable to this health risk that if it continues, over 60% of graduating seniors will be clinically obese. Written by a medical journalist, the book is designed for the lay reader but has a number of documented scholarly sources.

Obesity among children is at an all time high at nearly 18% of all children in 2012 being obese compared to 7% in 1980. One could credit this to many things, but one obvious reason is that the majority of the time that was once spent outside participating in physical activities has been replaced by hours upon hours of video games, television, and the internet accompanied by junk food and unhealthy beverages. Supporters of the Let’s Move! campaign say that many modern day children are not given the opportunity to eat more nutritious foods and get physical exercise, but if they were given such opportunities,

Sports, play time, and eating healthy are ways to prevent obesity and other diseases that can stem from lack of physical activity and a healthy diet. On average, adults should get about 150 hours per week of exercise, or some vigorous activity. Children should get about 60 minutes of physical activity or play time at least three days out of the week. Even though there are pros and cons of different exercises and sports Americans can still help out their bodies for the better. Playing sports and exercising are shown to improve the way people think, act, and how they perform their daily lives, especially for children and teenagers. Marianne Engle author of “Kids and Sports” confirms “Kids who do sports build muscle, improve reflexes, attention span, focus, thinking, and reduces the likelihood of obesity (Engle Marianne

Godman, H. (2016). Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills. Harvard Health Publications. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110.

It is critical for this age group to gain as much physical activity as possible. These children are in their prime time for body development. In the recent decade, physical activity in children has decreased immensely (Colley et al. 2011). A quarter of children in Canada are either obese or overweight (Colley et al. 2011). This age group of children (in general) seem to have the most promotional physical activity options.

“Sibley et al. (2003) con- ducted a meta-analysis showing a positive correlation between physical activity and seven categories of cognitive performance (perceptual skills, intelligence quotient, achievement, verbal tests, mathematics tests, developmental level/ academic readiness, and other) among school-aged children” (Sattelmair & Ratley, 2009). This positive correlation provides much more evidence towards the benefits of physical activity and the classroom as it shows the exact levels of cognitive performance that are positively affected. In addition, a cross sectional study was completed showing the positive correlations of performance on physical fitness tests and exercise levels, involving eight thousand school-children. (Although this study and other studies discussed in this article show positive correlations, it is important to remember that correlation does not prove causation). This research also brings to mind the problem of obesity as well. Educating students on the importance of moving and physical activity can influence obesity as well. If students are more aware of the cognitive health benefits of physical activity, they will realize the reason obesity is a problem, much past the idea of physical looks. “Physical activity presents a physiological stress to the brain that, when balanced with recovery, promotes adaptation and growth,

Childhood obesity is a growing concern among today 's youth. As educators, we play a significant role in the progress of this epidemic along with parents, coaches, and other mentors. Recent studies show that only 9% of Canadian youth ages 5 to 17 get the recommended sixty minutes of exercise per day. Kids are spending more time on devices and technology, which is creating sedentary lifestyle habits (Goodlife Kids

Obesity is not just a problem in our country, but worldwide. Even though it is well known how important it is to be physically active, children these days are less active than ever before (Nemet, 2016). Decline in physical activity is the main factor of childhood weight problem (Nemet, 2016). According to Nemet (2016), research indicates that obese children are more likely to become obese adults. One of the reasons that physical activity is decreased is an increase in sedentary activity such a use of computers, smartphones, watching television, and playing video games.

A growing number of children are demonstrating unhealthy eating habits and as a result are becoming obese due to lack of physical activity, nutrition and genetics. Children in today’s society are not motivated to exercise and participate in after school activities. If we were to go back in time 15 to 20 years ago, children were encouraged to explore the outdoors by engaging in activities such as camping, bicycling, walking, running and playing sports. Now, living in the 21st century, technology has taken a major toll on our children health; they are spending more time indoors watching television, playing video, games, surfing the internet and texting on their mobile phones.

statistical significance with a p-value of 0.16 at 5 minutes, 0.04 at 10 minutes and 0.03 at 20 minutes. It does not; however, show a statistical significance in digit recall with changes from p =0.10 at a 5 minute exercise break, p=0.48 at a 10 minute exercise break and p=0.18 at a 20 minute exercise break, and does not show a significant difference between cognitive functioning and physical activity in children, thus refutes the notion that physical exercise may be affected by different exercise doses. Findings again differed for Raine et al. (2013) as results showed an increase in recall of locations on a map on the third day of testing after learning the information tested via the study only strategy (with free recall and cued recall) and the test study strategy (with free recall and cued recall) (Fig. 4). Figure 4 shows a significant difference between higher fit children compared to lower fit children using the four different strategies. The study did show a decrease in accuracy of the study only strategy tested with cued recall and testing strategy with free recall compared to the testing strategy with cued recall. Study only with free recall showed a decrease in accuracy compared to the three previously mentioned.

Physical activity among young children has declined in schools and has been one of the main causes of childhood obesity. One study showed that among third and fourth graders, they spend an average of 22-24 hours a week watching television (James). Also, more studies have shown that moderate to very physical activities have dropped off among young adults (James). Children are now less likely to commit to participating in gym classes and or any physical activity outside of school, but instead they are most likely spending

In the article, the purpose of this study was to verify and compare how the effect of 10 min of aerobic exercise performed above and below lactate threshold (LT) on executive control in children. In the article, it mentions how children are becoming sedentary. That means it increase the prevalence of overweight and low physical fitness. This much inactivity affects brain health and some aspects of cognition. It affects the executive control. It’s something to be concern about because in childhood there are some extensive changes in the brain structure, function, and connectivity. If children can have an active lifestyle it may have protective effects on brain health across the lifespan. While reading I saw that it was no studies that

Physical exercise does not only promote physical appearance and the body’s health, it also promotes brain health. The brain is a dynamic organ that replaces and repairs neurons throughout life. When people engage in exercise, rarely do they think about the potential affects it has on their brain. People that work out utilize various amounts of motor skills that have been acquired gradually through practice. Those utilized motor skills elicit the brains cognitive processes and the neural substrates that allows athlete to efficiently and decisively perform physical activities. People that exercise depend on their brain to learn, memorize, and perform, physical exercise routines. Scientific studies have shown that physical fitness and mental fitness can improve brain function and brain health. Conditions such as insulin resistance, age-related cognitive issues, and depression are things exercise can alleviate. In this review I will introduce the undesirable causations of an unhealthy life on brain health. I will also review how brain reacts to physical exercise and mental exercise.

The articles by Erikson et al., Gatz, Korol et al., and Draganski et al. explore the concept of increased physical activity and/or mental activity having effects on the cognitive function and development or deterioration of the brain as we age. Although I agree that physical exercise is critical in increasing cognitive function because of the health benefits it provides, as well as the increased blood flow and circulation throughout the body, I ultimately believe that a healthy brain is not achieved solely by physical exercise or mental exercise, but both. I think there is a link between physical and mental exercise, and that the combination of these two activities creates higher cognitive functioning of the mind as well as the body. The mind and body come together and meet to make an overall healthy individual.

According to statistics, children obesity in North America has increased tremendously in the past decade. The main cause for this disease is bad eating habits and lack of exercise. Obesity, is not only an issue with adults but it is starting to affect our kids and technology is not helping solve the problem. The time that children spend watching TV, being on the computer and playing video games has become one of the main reasons that obesity rates have grown so rapidly in many developed countries. The important fact for parents to know is that obesity can also lead to diabetes, cancer and other illnesses. The pathetic situation and the most concerned fact is that these diseases were not common among children years ago. Truly, most youngsters prefer to stay in the house and interact with their devices rather than with people. Nerveless, simple activities like washing, cleaning,