It probably no surprise to anyone that over the last 30 years, obesity has more than doubled in young children and quadrupled in adolescents, potentially leading to a host of chronic diseases later in life.
But it doesn’t have to be.
Indeed regular physical activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control, provides a long list of physical benefits for children and even promotes mental and emotional well-being , including self-esteem.
Danyel Surrency Jones, president of Power To Give and co-founder of Powerhandz Inc., a company specializing in athletic training products to improve performance in baseball, basketball and football, and her husband and business partner Darnell Jones, want kids to benefit from the values learned from youth sports.
They've created the Power To Give which promotes positive development.
“We believe in the power of sports to change a kid’s life for the
better,” says Darnell, a former pro basketball player.
Here’s why, they couple, say youths should play sports.
* Cultivates a positive attitude: Sports are demanding. Come game time,
a young athlete wouldn’t last long with a negative mindset.
* Offers a sense of accomplishment, confidence and self-esteem. Kids feel a sense of accomplishment when learning new skills and succeeding in a game.
* Builds better peer relationships: Kids want to fit in, but it’s not always easy. Organized sports hurdles the high wall of social awkwardness so many children feel. Team sports such as baseball, basketball and football demand participants to work together for a common goal.
* More restraint in avoiding risky behavior: Bored or disengaged children have a way of getting into trouble. A student is less likely to misbehave in class or break the law if it means getting kicked off the team of a sport they love.
* Greater family attachment and frequent interactions with parents: Famous athletes say it all the time, “Thanks Mom. Thanks for driving me
to and from practice, and thanks for showing up at the games.” And that
doesn’t even count helping a child with actual practice – playing catch or squaring off one-on-one.
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