| Benefits Especially Important for Children and Youth |
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Children who exercise have a tendency to be more physically active as adults.
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| Specific Benefits: | |
| • Weight-bearing physical activity is essential for normal skeletal development during childhood and adolescence and for achieving and maintaining peak bone mass in young adults. • Participation in physical activity increases adolescents’ self-esteem and reduces anxiety and stress. • Through its effects on mental health, physical activity may help increase students’ capacity for learning. • Participation in physical activity and sports can promote social well-being, as well as good physical and mental health, among young people. • helps prevent or control risky behaviors, like tobacco, alcohol or other substance use, unhealthy diet or violence |
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, June 2002; World Health Organization