POCKET GUIDE - Bright Futures - American Academy of Pediatrics

Adolescence
52
Bright FUTURES
■ Positive body image. (People come in unique sizes and
shapes, within a range of healthy body weights.) (see tips
for Fostering a Positive Body image Among Children
and Adolescents.)
■ Assuring adolescents that they are loved and accepted as
they are, regardless of their size and shape.
physical Activity
■ engaging in 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity.
— Aerobic: either moderate-intensity (hiking, skateboarding)
or vigorous-intensity (running, bicycling) aerobic
physical activity daily, and include vigorous-intensity
physical activity at least 3 days a week.
— Muscle-strengthening: include muscle-strengthening
physical activity (climbing trees, sit-ups) at least 3 days
a week.
— Bone-strengthening: include bone-strengthening
(weight-bearing) physical activity (jumping rope,
playing basketball) at least 3 days a week.
■ incorporating physical activity into daily life (through
physical education at school and activities with family
and friends).
■ For adolescents with special health care needs, engaging
in physical activity for cardiovascular fitness (within limits
of medical or physical conditions).
■ Wearing appropriate safety equipment (helmets, pads,
mouth guards, goggles) when physically active.
■ Finding safe settings for physical activity.
■ Drinking water when physically active.
■ Not having a television in the adolescent’s bedroom.
■ Limiting total entertainment media time (watching television,
playing computer or video games) to no more than
1 to 2 hours of quality programming a day.
■ reducing sedentary behaviors (watching television, playing
computer or video games, especially if the adolescent
is overweight.
substance use
■ Consuming excessive quantities of caffeinated beverages
(soft drinks, coffee, energy drinks).
■ Dangers of using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
■ Dangers of using performance-enhancing products
(protein supplements, anabolic steroids).