Teens Not Getting Enough Exercise, Researchers Say

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A report in the Journal Pediatrics is emphasizing the importance of exercise in teens.

In the article, the authors find far too many U.S. high school students engage in low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Perhaps even more concerning is that the trend continues into adulthood.

The researcher looked at teens from 10th grade to first year post-high school and showed that less than 9% of participants met the recommended 60-plus minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The authors pointed out that the CDC recommends a minimum of one hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day for overall health promotion for this age group.

According to the researchers, teens are important because they are experiencing big and important changes during this period, including mental, psychological, environmental changes and at the same time they are staring to learn how to handle their lives, behaviors, and lifestyles independently the first time.

In other words, they are building lifelong habits.