Dirt, Depression, and Childhood Obesity: Why Kids Need More Time Outside

This

Do you remember when the days when kids would go outside every day?

Well, the world has changed. It’s safe to say that technology has a grip on the youth like never before.

From iPads to cell phones, our children are growing up in a world vastly different than we did. With so much time spent in front of screens, and with physical education in schools being cut across the country, our kids also face increased health deficits.

Childhood obesity alone has more than tripled since the 1970s, disproportionately affecting lower-income communities and children of color.

One study found that the chances of a child being obese or overweight more than tripled from 20% to over 60% if they lived in an area where poor housing, unsafe surroundings, and limited access to parks and recreation centers were common.

Childhood obesity leads to a variety of associated illnesses both physical and mental in nature.

The Physical

From birth up to about 8 years of age, the human body undergoes the most rapid physical development in our lifespan. Having time outside running around and playing is key to this development and integration of new motor pathways within the body.

Studies have shown that increased physical activity in preschool-aged children had significant benefits for the development of both motor skills and cognitive function.

In addition to the benefits of physical activity, your children also benefit from exposure to the sun and vitamin D. Vitamin D a key nutrient in bone growth and development, and critical if children are to reach maximum peak bone density while growing.

Furthermore, spending more time in outdoor environments interacting with the world, getting dirty, naturally boosts the immune system. Through exposure to dirt, plants, and other elements in nature, the body builds defenses to new microbes and organisms that wouldn't normally be available indoors, thus strengthening future defenses.

The Mental

Sedentary behavior can cause depression in adolescents. This happens when adolescents experience increased screen and indoor time.

Also, sedentary lifestyles and obesity in children are related to the increased prevalence of ADHD.

Overweight and obese children often face bullying. This can compound self-esteem issues and a predisposition to depression.

Outdoor physical activity and time away from screens can assist in the reduction of obesity. It can also help a variety of mental deficits ranging from depression and lowered self-esteem. Outdoor activity limits the risks of increased isolation and antisocial behaviors.

What Can Parents Do to Encourage Kids to Go Outside?

The CDC recommends 60 minutes of physical activity daily for school-aged children (6-19 years old). Therefore, it's important to find new and creative ways to introduce physical activity to children.

Consider traditional sports, recreational activities, or exploring your local nature trail or state park.

Playdates with other children in your family or friends circle may be a fun way to connect with your friends. It's also a great way to get your kids outside in nature for a few hours.

Also, consider programs at local gyms and community centers for kids after school and during the summer season.

It may be a challenge but get those kids outside for a few hours a day.

Don’t forget the sunscreen (yes, even on our melanin)!