GLOBAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILDREN´S PHYSICAL ATIVITY
Preschool children (aged 3–4 years) should accumulate at least 180 min physical activity, engage in no more than 1 h sedentary screen time, and have 10–13 h good-quality sleep per day. For school-age children and adolescents (5–17 years), the recommendations are to participate in at least 60 min moderate-intensity to vigorous-intensity physical activity, engage in no more than 2 h sedentary recreational screen time, and have 9–11 h good-quality sleep each day.
We know that children typically obtain their daily physical activity through active travel to school; physical education and recess; organised sports, games, and dance; active play; and spending time in playgrounds and parks. Conversely, most of their sedentary time and sleep are accumulated at home.Quarantine has caused an enormous rise in sedentary screen time and a tremendous lack of physical activity levels, with children not being allowed outdoors.
Given that many parents are working from home while supervising their children’s daily schooling, movement behaviours might not seem a priority.
I have seen it with my patients (and my children) that nearly all children are going to bed later and waking up later, they are less active and more sedentary, with less consistent sleep patterns.
Lack of good sleep, the rise of screen time and the lack of physical activities are a matter of concern for several reasons: first, we know that global recommendations are rarely (if ever) met in normal times, second, given the strong associations of health outcomes with movement behaviours, children’s health will be even more compromised during COVID-19. This period of home confinement—especially if indoors and in small spaces—can lead to higher risk of vitamin D deficiency , mental health issues, and myopia.
Last but not least, children who are less active and engaged in more screen time are likely to have poorer sleep which in turn leads to more weight gain.
Can we help? Some ideas
1- incorporate physical activity into children’s daily routine (including using electronic media to facilitate participation) and encourage the whole family to join while adhering to regulations on physical distancing and access to outdoor spaces
2- try to follow sedentary screentime recommendations
3- encourage co-viewing and positive social interactions and experiences
4- to help children to get enough sleep, keep bed and wake times consistent, keep screens out of the room where children sleep, and avoid screen use before bedtime
Preschool children (aged 3–4 years) should accumulate at least 180 min physical activity, engage in no more than 1 h sedentary screen time, and have 10–13 h good-quality sleep per day. For school-age children and adolescents (5–17 years), the recommendations are to participate in at least 60 min moderate-intensity to vigorous-intensity physical activity, engage in no more than 2 h sedentary recreational screen time, and have 9–11 h good-quality sleep each day.
We know that children typically obtain their daily physical activity through active travel to school; physical education and recess; organised sports, games, and dance; active play; and spending time in playgrounds and parks. Conversely, most of their sedentary time and sleep are accumulated at home.Quarantine has caused an enormous rise in sedentary screen time and a tremendous lack of physical activity levels, with children not being allowed outdoors.
Given that many parents are working from home while supervising their children’s daily schooling, movement behaviours might not seem a priority.
I have seen it with my patients (and my children) that nearly all children are going to bed later and waking up later, they are less active and more sedentary, with less consistent sleep patterns.
Lack of good sleep, the rise of screen time and the lack of physical activities are a matter of concern for several reasons: first, we know that global recommendations are rarely (if ever) met in normal times, second, given the strong associations of health outcomes with movement behaviours, children’s health will be even more compromised during COVID-19. This period of home confinement—especially if indoors and in small spaces—can lead to higher risk of vitamin D deficiency , mental health issues, and myopia.
Last but not least, children who are less active and engaged in more screen time are likely to have poorer sleep which in turn leads to more weight gain.
Can we help? Some ideas
1- incorporate physical activity into children’s daily routine (including using electronic media to facilitate participation) and encourage the whole family to join while adhering to regulations on physical distancing and access to outdoor spaces
2- try to follow sedentary screentime recommendations
3- encourage co-viewing and positive social interactions and experiences
4- to help children to get enough sleep, keep bed and wake times consistent, keep screens out of the room where children sleep, and avoid screen use before bedtime
