Guidelines for child and teen fitness plans

Improving your child's or teen's fitness may boost his or her academic performance, self-concept, and mental health. Here are some helpful guidelines for improving your child's or teen's fitness.

For children:

  • Increase your child's age-appropriate physical activity to more than 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each day.
  • Encourage your child to participate in various types of activities, including sports. You can join your child in some activities, such as vigorous walking, in-line skating, bicycling, tennis, dancing in the home, and exercising along with a TV program.
  • Don't allow your child to have long inactive periods of time during the day.

For teens:

  • Increase your teen's activity to more than 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each day.
  • Encourage your teen to participate in various types of activities, including sports. You can join your teen in some activities, such as vigorous walking, in-line skating, bicycling, tennis, dancing in the home, and exercising along with a TV program.


Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MSLast Updated: April 16, 2008
Medical Review: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism

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