Reasons for Lack of Exercise in Teens

Fatigue

• Teens need more sleep than adults -- a recommended nine hours to an adult's seven- to nine-hour span. Unfortunately, a busy schedule, studying, socializing and various distractions mean your teen doesn't always get the sleep that he needs to have energy. Exercise is often skipped because your teen feels too tired to get moving or is more interested in squeezing in a nap than a trip to the gym.

Distractions

• Let's face it: Your teen has a lot of options when it comes to how she spends her time. And a teen might be more inclined to hang out with a friend or spend time online than making exercise a part of her day. Distractions and a busy schedule mean there's simply little time left for exercise, which your teen might not view as very important when compared with the other things that she wants to do.

Boredom

• Exercise isn't always fun for teens, even when yours is active. In fact, exercise -- especially when it's one note, like running on a treadmill -- can be downright boring to your teen, which means he's less inclined to take part. Without the motivation to exercise because it's fun and enjoyable, your teen is likely to look for entertainment elsewhere.

Embarrassment

• Unfortunately, some teens simply don't feel comfortable exercising in public, according to the Children's Physician Network. Whether it's because your teen is overweight and thinks someone will mock her for exercising or because her peers don't see exercising as something "cool," she might be more content to sit on the couch than allow herself to be an object for scrutiny or teasing.

How to Help

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that healthy teens should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. If your teen is far from meeting that requirement, help him make exercise part of his routine. If he's too tired, an earlier bedtime and removal of technological distractions from his room can help him have more energy to workout. If he's bored, help him register for a sport or use a family hike as a guise for daily exercise. If video games and other distractions get in the way, use them to your advantage -- suggest working out with friends or invest in video games that require physical activity. Finally, if your teen feels embarrassed while exercising, look for videos and equipment that he can use at home until he feels more comfortable exercising in public.