Children who are physically unfit at the age of 9 years old have double the risk of developing attention problems (ADHD) during their teenage years.
This is compared with physically fit children, and the statistic comes from children who participated in the long-term European Youth Heart Study.
There are many different factors that contribute to ADHD, including genetics and exposures to environmental toxins, like cigarette smoke. There are also many different options when it comes to treatments.
But in my opinion, if there are completely free and completely risk-free things we can do to reduce young children’s risk of ever developing ADHD in the first place, then we should do them!
Now we know that keeping kids active and physically fit is one of those things. Here are some fun ideas to keep our kids moving and their bodies strong:
- Kick around a soccer ball
- Play frisbee
- Jump on a pogo stick
- Roller skate
- Ride scooters or bikes
- Jump rope
- Race down the block
- Play hopscotch
- Play 4 Square
- Have a dance party
- Go for a hike
Can you think of more?
Committed to Your Health,
Valarie
Reference
Muntaner-Mas A, Ortega FB, Femia P et al. Low cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity for ADHD in childhood and adolescence: A 6-year cohort study. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2021; 31: 903-913. [link]