ABSTRACT
In the field of positive psychology, the close connection between mind and body is considered one of the indicators of well-being. Physical activity not only protects from and alleviates symptoms of mental health problems but also directly relates to subjective well-being. Researchers assess physical well-being by the level of physical activity or physical fitness, health status, diet and nutrition, quality of sleep, body mass index, and objective biomedical markers of health (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol). This chapter explores the connection between physical activity, health, and being overweight with reports of happiness and life satisfaction. Being physically active is also associated with academic performance, cognitive skills, and other positive indices of well-being, such as self-esteem and self-control. The chapter also reviews the literature on the connection that sleep duration and quality have with positive and negative affect. Evidence from cross-sectional and intervention studies, conducted in different parts of the world, is examined throughout the chapter, and recommendations for parents and child practitioners are made.
