Which U.S. State Has the Most Physically Active Children?

“A moving child is a learning child.” ~ Gill Gonnell and Cheryl McCarthy

It is common knowledge that physical activity is important for the overall health and well-being of children. How much exercise do children need? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s physical activity guidelines for children vary with age. Children ages 3 through 5 years should be active in various ways throughout the day – this can occur naturally through play, exploration, and just having fun. Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 are recommended to engage in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical exercise daily. This includes aerobic activity (anything that gets the heart beating faster like walking, running, and biking), muscle-strengthening (such as climbing, hiking, and push-ups), and bone-strengthening (high-impact activities like jumping and running). A rich variety of exercise nurtures every aspect of child development and create habits that lead to a healthy, happy adult life. So what are the most physically active U.S. states for children? The team at AAAStateofPlay explored child health data to find where children are the most and least physically active. Let’s jump in:

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Here are the top 10 most active states for children based on the percentage of aged 6-17 children who exercise, play a sport, or participate in physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily: 

1. North Dakota active kids – 29.8%
2. Wyoming active kids – 29.7%
3. Montana active kids – 27.8%
4. West Virginia active kids – 27.5%
5. Alaska active kids – 26.9
6. Nebraska active kids – 26.4%
7. Missouri active kids – 26.2%
8. Ohio active kids – 25.5%
9. Mississippi active kids – 25.2%
10. Vermont active kids – 25.2%

Here are the 10 least active states for children: 

1. Nevada active kids – 13.9%
2. Texas active kids – 15.6%
3. District of Columbia active kids – 16.3%
4. Arizona active kids – 16.8%
5. New Jersey active kids – 17.3%
6. California active kids – 17.3%
7. Hawaii active kids – 17.4%
8. Louisiana active kids – 17.5%
9. Utah active kids – 17.8%
10. Florida active kids – 17.9%

Why is physical activity important for kids? 

Why is exercise important for children? Regular physical activity helps children strengthen their cardiovascular fitness, build strong bones and muscles, manage weight, ease anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. The benefits of exercise for kids also include more quality sleep, less anxiety, and a greater sense of confidence. All of these factors contribute to better grades at school. All in all, an active lifestyle for children is a win-win! 

These Are the States With the Most Active Children

Based on percentage of children aged 6-17 who exercise, play a sport, or participate in physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day

• Rank	State/District	Percentage of children
  1	North Dakota	29.8
  2	Wyoming	29.7
  3	Montana	27.8
  4	West Virginia	27.5
  5	Alaska	26.9
  6	Nebraska	26.4
  7	Missouri	26.2
  8	Ohio	25.5
  8	Mississippi	25.2
  8	Vermont	25.2
  11	Indiana	25
  11	Maine	25
  11	Pennsylvania	25
  14	Iowa	24.8
  14	Minnesota	24.8
  16	Kansas	24.4
  17	South Dakota	24.3
  18	Arkansas	24.1
  19	New Hampshire	24
  20	Alabama	23.8
  21	Kentucky	23.6
  22	Wisconsin	23.4
  23	Illinois	23.1
  24	Idaho	22.9
  25	Delaware	22.7
  26	Washington	22.6
  27	Colorado	22.5
  28	Michigan	22.3
  29	Connecticut	21.9
  30	Georgia	21.8
  31	Oklahoma	21.6
  32	Oregon	21
  33	New Mexico	20.7
  33	Tennessee	20.7
  35	South Carolina	20.4
  36	Maryland	20
  36	Virginia	20
  38	New York	19.7
  39	Massachusetts	19.4
  40	North Carolina	19.1
  41	Rhode Island	18.5
  42	Florida	17.9
  43	Utah	17.8
  44	Louisiana	17.5
  45	Hawaii	17.4
  46	California	17.3
  46	New Jersey	17.3
  48	Arizona	16.8
  49	District of Columbia	16.3
  50	Texas	15.6
  51	Nevada	13.9

  
  

  Find more about the author: Kim Hart