Editors
Most Rated Articles
» Fitness Resources
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
According to the latest findings from a long-term study by the National Institutes of Health, the activity level of a large group of American children dropped sharply between age 9 and age 15, when most failed to reach the daily recommended activity level.
The analysis is one of the largest, most comprehensive of its kind to date.
The researchers evaluated the children to determine whether they achieved the minimum 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommended for children.
At age 9, the children averaged roughly three hours of MVPA on weekdays and weekends. By age 15, however, they averaged only 49 minutes per weekday, and 35 minutes per weekend.
"Lack of physical activity in childhood raises the risk for obesity and its attendant health problems later in life," said Duane Alexander, M.D., Director of NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). "Helping American children maintain appropriate activity levels is a major public health goal requiring immediate action."
Click here to read the full report.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Rate this Article: Current: 3/5
Date Added: 2009-04-06 Views : 516