The menus set out have been calculated assuming sedentary activity. When greater physical activity is undertaken, a greater provision of energy and nutrients is required to meet the extra demand.
Attaining a balance between energy intake and energy expended is an important objective in achieving health benefits.
The benefits of physical activity are numerous.
Setting a rule of regular physical exercise during childhood establishes the habit lifelong. Furthermore, it provides for the development of skills such as coordination and balance, as well as increasing strength, stamina, and muscular flexibility. It also improves self-esteem, and reduces anxiety and depression.
In addition, physical exercise causes beneficial changes in the metabolism:
- Reduces levels cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in the blood.
- Prevents weight gain and helps in the treatment of obesity.
- It is helpful in the treatment of diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Regular, moderate, physical exercise is always recommended together with a healthy diet, for at least 60 minutes a day.
Extra physical activity incurs an additional energy requirement which must be met by a supplementary intake of food.
It is also important to pay attention to intake of liquids before, during and after physical exercise, above all during periods of intense heat and or in areas of high humidity, if an excessive increase in body temperature is to be avoided, especially as children dehydrate more easily than adults.
Youth training sessions should be adapted to take account of hydration, despite the fact that the children might not feel thirsty.
Supplementary food intake options
