Why Children Need to Move More: Scientists Warn Inactivity Could Harm Both Health and Happiness

Scientists are increasingly warning that modern children are becoming dangerously less active, raising concerns about the long-term impact on their physical health, mental wellbeing, and cognitive development.

Researchers say growing levels of inactivity among children are contributing to rising obesity rates, poorer mental health outcomes, lower sports participation, and increased sedentary lifestyles across the world.

But despite the worrying trend, experts believe there is hope.

New studies are revealing practical and surprisingly simple ways to help children move more, become healthier, and even improve their concentration and academic performance.

Children Are Moving Less Than Before

Health experts say many children today are failing to meet the recommended daily activity levels needed for healthy growth and development.

According to international health recommendations, children should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. However, many do not achieve this target.

Researchers attribute the decline in movement to several factors, including:

• Increased screen time
• More sedentary lifestyles
• Reduced outdoor play
• Academic pressure
• Limited access to sports
• Poor dietary habits
• Rising stress levels

The trend is particularly concerning because inactivity in childhood often continues into adulthood.

Studies show that children who are physically active are far more likely to remain active later in life.

Long-Term Health Benefits of Active Childhoods

Research increasingly suggests that childhood exercise has lifelong benefits.

One major long-term study followed 712 World War Two veterans over a 50-year period and found that participation in sports during high school was one of the strongest predictors of better health later in life.

Those who participated in sports:

• Remained more physically active in old age
• Had better health outcomes at age 70
• Required fewer doctor visits

Other studies have linked childhood physical activity to:

• Lower body mass index (BMI)
• Smaller waist circumference
• Better mental health
• Improved educational achievement
• Enhanced cognitive performance

Scientists say exercise during childhood does far more than simply improve physical fitness.

How Exercise Helps the Brain

Researchers have found strong evidence that physical activity directly supports brain development in children.

Professor Nicole Logan says movement improves both physical and cognitive health.

“It improves body composition but also improves and maintains positive cognitive functions as children develop through adolescence,” she explained.

Exercise increases cardiorespiratory fitness — the body’s ability to deliver oxygen efficiently — which researchers say benefits brain function as well.

Scientists have linked physical activity to improvements in:

• Memory
• Attention span
• Reaction times
• Problem-solving
• Concentration
• Self-control and inhibitory control

These skills are essential for academic success and emotional regulation.

Exercise Programmes Show Positive Results

In one nine-month after-school exercise programme conducted in the United States, researchers found that children with obesity who participated in regular physical activity showed significant improvements in cognitive performance compared to children who did not participate.

The programme involved moderate to vigorous physical activities five days per week after school.

Researchers also observed reductions in body fat among participants.

Scientists believe this matters because fat surrounding vital organs can increase inflammation within the body, which has been linked to poorer cognitive function.

By reducing body fat and improving fitness, exercise may therefore help improve brain performance.

Schools Could Play a Major Role

Many researchers believe schools should become central to solving childhood inactivity.

Professor Logan argues that schools should provide at least 60 minutes of movement every day.

This could help reduce barriers faced by parents, especially since organised sports can be expensive and time-consuming.

Importantly, experts say increasing movement does not always require formal sports programmes.

Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference

One study in Massachusetts found that simply increasing opportunities for movement before, during, and after school led to lower BMI levels among primary school children.

Researchers also found improvements when schools:

• Encouraged walking and movement breaks
• Reduced prolonged sitting
• Improved access to healthier food
• Introduced limits around screen time

Professor Ulla Toft says tackling childhood obesity requires improving children’s overall environment rather than focusing solely on exercise.

Her research focuses on four major areas:

• Diet
• Physical activity
• Screen use
• Sleep

The Dangers of Sitting Too Much

Scientists say prolonged sitting may be just as concerning as lack of exercise.

A study involving 30 schools in the United Kingdom encouraged teachers to reduce sedentary behaviour in classrooms.

Teachers asked students to:

• Stand while answering questions
• Move more around the classroom
• Break up long periods of sitting

The results were striking.

Researchers found:

• An 8% decline in waist-to-hip ratio
• A 10% increase in sports participation

Professor Flaminia Ronca explained that the intervention was not focused on structured exercise but simply reducing stillness.

“It wasn’t about exercise, but about sitting down less,” she said.

Parents Also Influence Children’s Activity Levels

Research shows parents play a critical role in encouraging physical activity.

Children are more likely to remain active if:

• Their parents encourage participation
• Parents help them access sports opportunities
• Families exercise together
• Parents themselves are physically active

Studies suggest this support is especially important for girls, whose activity levels often decline during adolescence.

Simple family activities such as:

• Walking together
• Cycling
• Jogging
• Outdoor play

can help children develop lifelong movement habits.

Confidence and Enjoyment Matter Too

Researchers say children are more likely to stay active when movement feels enjoyable and inclusive.

Michaela James found that children’s confidence around movement strongly affects their wellbeing and willingness to participate in physical activities.

Some children feel excluded by highly structured sports programmes, which may damage their confidence and discourage participation.

James argues that children should be given greater freedom to choose activities they enjoy.

This could include:

• Climbing trees
• Running around playgrounds
• Playing tag
• Dancing
• Free outdoor play

Experts also recommend:

• More creative playgrounds
• Active movement breaks
• Avoiding the removal of break time as punishment

Every Form of Movement Counts

One of the most important messages emerging from the research is that all movement matters.

Children do not necessarily need expensive sports clubs or formal exercise routines to benefit.

Simple, regular movement throughout the day can:

• Improve physical health
• Boost happiness
• Support brain development
• Build confidence
• Encourage lifelong healthy habits

Researchers say creating environments where children naturally move more could have profound long-term benefits for both individuals and society.

Source: BBC

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