Which of the following is a long-term benefit of regular physical activity for adolescents?

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Regular physical activity during adolescence builds long-term strength and health by shaping the body now for future well-being. When you engage in weight-bearing and resistance activities, bones respond by increasing density and reaching higher peak mass during growth years. This helps prevent osteoporosis later in life. At the same time, muscles become stronger, joints stay more flexible, and the body's systems work more efficiently, which lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity as you age. Because this option captures both the physical improvements and the reduced disease risk that come from staying active over the long term, it fits best. While improved health and mood are real benefits, they don’t fully address the lasting structural and disease-prevention advantages; a higher risk of chronic diseases would be the opposite of what regular activity provides, and a weaker immune system isn’t a benefit of exercise.