Movement is medicine

Kids need to move around for about an hour a day, and no, moving at 50 MPH in the back of an SUV doesn't count.

In the Netherlands, an estimated 70-75% of school-aged kids ride bikes to school. In America, an estimated 1-2% of school-aged kids ride bikes to school.

In related news, inactivity sets the stage for higher adult rates of obesity (42% prevalence), diabetes (11%), cardiovascular disease, and lower life expectancy.

Kids know that being physically active makes them feel better. They might not understand that it’s directly related to their physical and mental development, but reasons schmeasons. For as long as we live, our bodies need movement. Here’s what the CDC recommends for different age groups:

The 2024 US Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth found 76% of kids aged 6-17 do not meet recommended daily activity levels, resulting in a "D-" grade. You guys—American kids have earned a D- for 10 years in a row! For adolescents aged 12-17, the situation is more concerning, with 85% not getting the recommended amount of daily activity.

Reaching 60 minutes of daily physical activity doesn't require intense or structured exercise sessions. It could be integrated into daily routines like walking or riding a bike to school. In the United States, only about 10% of children walk or bike to school, another figure that’s remained stagnant over the past decade. 20% of our kids are obese. Food isn’t the only culprit here.

A 20-30 minute walk or bike ride to and from school can account for a significant portion of the recommended 60 minutes of daily activity. The Netherlands has a robust cycling infrastructure and healthier children.

Physical activity is essential, not optional, for children's health. Walking or biking to school is a practical and effective method to help children get the healthy movement their bodies and minds so desperately need. Think about how our nation’s kids could improve from D- to A+ the next time you’re sitting in car line at school.

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Reading material:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Physical Activity Guidelines for Children

• Physical Activity Alliance: 2024 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

• University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health: New U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth Reveals Continued Low Levels of Physical Activity

• University of Michigan School of Kinesiology: Physical Activity Levels Remain Low for American Children and Youth