Couch Potato Nation

Physically (In)Active Adolescents

Physical activity helps our bodies (and our minds) to stay in shape. Unfortunately, it seems as
though children in the United States are staying less and less physically active. Although screen
time and electronic devices most likely contribute to this lack of physical activity, school
environments can encourage more physical activity during school hours when these children
are active and alert.

It is up to teachers, schools, and parents to teach children how important their physical health is
and that digital media should be consumed in moderation.

How School Affects Exercise

A recent study from the Journal of Adolescence found that 3 in 4 high school students do not
meet the daily guidelines for physical activity recommended for their age group. Schools help
shape these adolescents, their habits, and their knowledge through the programs they offer.

Recess is a great time for adolescents to be physically active while strengthening peer
relationships. Extracurricular activities such as school sports, physical education (P.E.) classes,
and more are also provided by schools for adolescents to get their daily amount of physical
activity. High schools usually do not include recess, have a shorter lunch break, and have more
areas for students to sit or study, not play. P.E. classes also become optional or aren’t even
offered once you reach the high school level.

It is very important for children to feel safe, connected, and supported by their peers at school.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. These three things have a big impact on how much
physical activity high schoolers receive.

Bullying

School environments play a large part in how comfortable students may feel while playing
sports or participating in other physical activities. Researchers from the University of Georgia
report that this lack of physical activity is particularly common among teenage girls.

Bullying may discourage students from participating in recess, playing, etc., thus contributing to
the decline in physical activity. Boys who experienced bullying in school were less likely to
exercise, while girls who experienced bullying in school were more likely to exercise (even in
unhealthy amounts).

Ways to combat lack of physical activity

Here are a few ways that children can stay active in a time where electronics seem more
important:

1. Encourage 60 minutes of exercising per day. Exercising can help manage stress and
tension, two things that students experience frequently.
2. Make sure they have a balanced diet and are getting enough sleep. Getting the right
amount of nutrients and sleep is important for adolescents and their daily performances.
3. Limit the amount of digital media they consume. Too much use of media and electronics
that promotes a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to anyone!

References:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jad.12052

Edited by TLC Intern: Jillian Meloro

Jim West

Adolescent Expert, Jim West offers expert advice to Local and National TV News & Schools Internationally and provides phone or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Jim is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified and State Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Jim has been interviewed for multiple TV, Radio, magazine and newspaper articles. He is president of Total Life Counseling Center and his Total Life approach accelerates the therapeutic & healing process by relating to children, adolescents and adults and incorporating wellness. Jim’s clients travel from all over Florida, England, Georgia, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications. 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center.

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