Children may not be getting enough exercise

A recent study found that young children are not meeting the national guidelines for physical activity.

The study led by researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University suggests girls are at a greater risk of not meeting the exercise recommendations.

Researchers studied the physical activity of children in grades three through five during the school day, after school, and on weekends to determine when children were more or less active. Accelerometers were worn by the children during all waking hours. The study included a representative sample of all children across several school districts with 30 percent of the participants being overweight or obese.

The study found that across the entire sample of children, only 15 percent achieved the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) every day. Eight percent met the recommendation of 30 minutes of MVPA during school hours. Girls were far less likely than boys to meet both these guidelines, with only eight percent and two percent meeting total daily- and school-time recommendations respectively. Obese children were less active overall and achieved fewer minutes of MVPA.

Kristie Hubbard, one of the authors of the study, said that few states mandate and provide opportunities for children to achieve the recommended amount of exercise time.

“Many schools are cutting back on and even eliminating physical education and recess time,” added Jennifer Sacheck, the study’s senior author.

Click here to read more about the study.