Most teens spend countless hours each week sitting behind a computer screen and playing video games. Doctors recommend that teens age 13 to 18 get at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week. Teens who play sports may already get plenty of exercise in their practices and games. Any regular physical exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a few days a week will improve their health and fitness level. Here are a few fun ways for your teen to get the recommended amounts of exercise every day:.

Healthy Snack for Teens Playing Sports



Healthy Lunch Ideas for High School Athletes | The Active Times
There's a lot more to eating for sports than chowing down on carbs or chugging sports drinks. The good news is that eating to reach your peak performance level likely doesn't require a special diet or supplements. It's all about working the right foods into your fitness plan in the right amounts. Teen athletes have unique nutrition needs. Because athletes work out more than their less-active peers, they generally need extra calories to fuel both their sports performance and their growth. Depending on how active they are, teen athletes may need anywhere from 2, to 5, total calories per day to meet their energy needs.


Teens and Sports: The Exercise-Mental Health Link
Regular physical activity can help children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as: 1. These guidelines state that children and adolescents be provided opportunities and encouragement to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety. The national recommendation for schools is to have a comprehensive approach for addressing physical education and physical activity in schools.




Teens who drink sports and energy drinks may be more likely to also engage in other unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drinking soda and playing video games for many hours, a new study finds. Researchers surveyed about 2, teens in middle and high schools in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and asked them about how often they drank sport and energy drinks , as well as other behaviors. About 38 percent said they consumed sports drinks at least once a week, and 15 percent said they consumed energy drinks at least once a week. On average, teens who consumed sports and energy drinks at least once a week played more hours of video games, drank more servings of sugar-sweetened beverages and were more likely to have ever smoked cigarettes, compared to those who consumed sports and energy drinks less than once a week.