‘Physical activity leads to a healthy mind’

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) that was released, globally, one in four adults does not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity. The more alarming statistics from recent research point to the fact that physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. This includes chronic illness and disability.

The report also says insufficiently active people have a 20-30 per cent increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active and more than 80 per cent of the world’s adolescent population is insufficiently physically active.

Hence, WHO recommends that those in the age group of five-17-year-olds should, at least, do 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity daily. This should incorporate vigorous-intensity aerobic activities, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least three days a week. It also said that those in this age group should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary, particularly the amount of recreational screen time.

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Physical activity keeps the child more agile — mentally and physically. Most parents forget that even 30 minutes of activity a day can help a child increase their concentration

–Arvind Kaushal, HoD Physical Education at Apeejay School, Pitampura

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Given the present trend and state of physical inactivity, it is estimated that globally there could be nearly half a billion new cases of major chronic diseases by 2030.

According to Arvind Kaushal, HoD Physical Education at Apeejay School, Pitampura, says that physical activity keeps the child more agile. “This is mentally and physically. Most parents forget that even 30 minutes of activity a day can help a child increase their concentration. A healthy mind in a healthy body can keep so many lifestyle diseases at bay as well,” Kaushal said.

He agreed that in the last few years, physical activity among kids has gone down but things are on the rise once again. “This is because everyone has suddenly once again understood the importance of physical activity post-Covid. Even in school, before we start any sport, we tell the students to jog around the playground that we have and do some stretching exercises before they begin any sport,” Kaushal explained.

What is physical activity?

The WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure. Physical activity refers to all movement including during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person’s work. Both moderate – and vigorous – intensity physical activity improve health.

Popular ways to be active include walking, cycling, wheeling, sports, active recreation, and play, and can be done at any level of skill and for enjoyment by everybody.

Regular physical activity has been proven to help prevent non-communicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintains healthy body weight, and can improve mental health, quality of life, and well-being.

Kaushal said that for kids to take up any physical activity, parents need to take the lead. “We at the school can only do so much in the six-seven hours they are at school. The interest has to come from a student. For this parents need to slowly introduce their children to the world of going out and playing. It can start by sitting with a kid and watching a game – different games – on the television; these can be live or recorded games,” Kaushal said.

Parents, Kaushal said, need to lead by example. “They can’t expect a child to play if the parents don’t do any physical activity themselves,” he said.

The drop in physical activity in adults is partly due to inaction during leisure time and sedentary behaviour on the job and at home. Likewise, an increase in the use of passive modes of transportation also contributes to insufficient physical activity.

“But if parents want their kids to be healthy in their adulthood, they must inculcate physical activity right from the beginning,” Kaushal advised.