Exercise as Medicine: What's Your Child's Dose?

If you knew you could help prevent diseases with exercise, you would likely make exercise a priority. Well, have you ever thought of exercise as medicine? Daily moderate to vigorous exercise is good for a child’s mind, body, and soul. Countless research studies repeatedly demonstrate the positive effects of daily exercise in pediatrics and adults. 

Exercise is known to improve:

• Anxiety
• Attention
• Balance
• Bone strength
• Concentration
• Depression
• Sleep

Exercise has a role in the treatment and prevention of 40+ chronic diseases such as:

• Cancer
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity

So, if you think of exercise as preventative medicine, how much should your child’s “dose” be? The typical prescription would be Rx: 60 minutes and Quantity: daily. The type of exercise would be Sig: moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise daily with muscular strengthening and bone strengthening 2-3 days a week. This prescription has unlimited refills!

If you find it difficult for your child to dedicate 60 continuous minutes a day, don’t worry – it can be broken up into 10-minute increments, or doses, 6 times a day. Every family should tailor their exercise prescription to meet their child’s needs.

Some helpful questions a family could use to design their child’s prescription:

• Who will be my child’s activity/exercise buddy?
• What are the goals of my child’s daily exercise?
• What activity or activities can my child do?
• When can my child be active (include time of day for each day)?
• Where can my child do these activities?
• How can I vary my child’s activity to stay interested in exercising?

There is no better time than the present to design an exercise prescription for your child and family. The benefits are countless. Exercise improves overall health, overall mental health, and lowers all-cause mortality. It’s time to get your and your child moving for life!