Cypop4 1.1 Explain Why Physical Activity Is Important to the Short and Long Term Health and Well Being of Children

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The Human body evolved to perform high physical activity for much of the time. From our origins as hunter gatherers to the mid / late industrial revolution, most peoples lives were characterised by hard manual labour. Even during the latter stages of this period, work was physical and home chores such as washing were mostly manual. Transport generally meant walking, rowing, riding, cycling etc – all very active means of getting about. As we reached the 20th century, technology and mass transportation have made most jobs, chores and transport far less physical and we have much more time available for leisure pursuits. “Hypokinetic diseases” (diseases stemming from lack of physical activity) have been known about for centuries and more closely studied and monitored since the 60’s. The main examples of these diseases are:  Poor mental helath  Coronary heart disease  Obesity  Lower back pain  Osteoporosis  Diabetes  Some cancers Increasing physical activity across the population is a key, current, public health initiative because the benefits of reducing these diseases is self-evident. A key goal of families, professionals and legislators is to help children develop into adults with good mental and physical fitness. Ensuring significant levels of physical activity is important for several reasons. 1. A child’s early years are one of the critical time periods in establishing active vs sedentary behavours. Evidence shows that significant physical activity in the young builds a positive attitude towards physical activity later in life. 2. Levels of physical activity decrease from early to late childhood. Time at school and the prevalence of sedentary leisure activities and travel mean that the average child and young person spends more than half their waking hours being sedentary. 3. Physical activity is important for Musculo-Skeletal, heart and lung

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