Overcoming Inactivity in Young People

The strongest health benefit of physical activity for young people may be improved psychological health ((1)). Because psychological health affects the daily well-being of young people and the adults in their lives, this may be reason enough to ensure that young people are active. In addition, physical activity constitutes part of effective weight loss programs for obese youth, and it can affect risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes such as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and insulin resistance ((1)). The ultimate effects on disease in adulthood, however, are not known.