Physical activity is so important for the well-being and overall health of children, but how much exercise do they actually need? The physical activity guidelines, set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can vary by age for children. For children who are between the ages of three and five years old, they should be active throughout their day, whether it be through playing, exploring, or simply having fun. For the children who are between the ages of six years old through 17 years old, it’s recommended that they are able to get physical activity in for at least 60 minutes each day.
So, in what U.S. states are children in the United States the most physically active? Using child health data, the research team at AAA State of Play looked into which states have the most physically active and least physically active children in the United States. According to their research, it was found that the most physically active children (who get at least 60 minutes daily) in the United States between the ages of six and seventeen years old was in North Dakota at 29.8%. Following North Dakota are Wyoming (29.7%), Montana (27.8%), West Virginia (27.5%), Alaska (26.9%), Nebraska (26.4%), Missouri (26.2%), Ohio (25.5%), Mississippi (25.2%), and Vermont.
And then there are the states where children between the ages of six and seventeen are the least physically active, with the least physical state being Nevada, with just 13.9% of children getting at least sixty minutes daily. Other states following Nevada include Texas (15.6%), District of Columbia (16.3%), Arizona (16.8%), New Jersey (17.3%), California (17.3%), Hawaii (17.4%), Louisiana (17.5%), Utah (17.8%), and Florida (17.9%)
Regular physical activity is great for managing weight, easing anxiety and depression, building strong bones and muscles and helping with conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
