Physical activity guidelines state that children should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each weekday. This study from the University of Exeter raises a real question: do parents overestimate their children's physical activity time? Because this analysis, certainly carried out in the United Kingdom, reveals that only one child in 30 practices the amount of daily physical activity recommended.
The physical activity guidelines are identical for 5-18 year olds: at least 60 minutes of intense to moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Assessing compliance with these guidelines should ideally include a 7-day measurement, but most studies do not have data over a typical week and are generally based on an estimate of daily activity time. The study compared activity prevalence estimates from the 2 types of data (daily average vs. a typical 7-day week).
The Exeter researchers analyzed data from the Healthy Lifestyles Program covering several schools. One class from each school was randomized to wear an accelerometer for 8 days. The percentages of children engaging in an average of ≥ 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day and every 7 days were estimated.
- 807 children provided data over 7 days;
- based on daily data, 30.6% of children engage in 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day;
- based on 7-day data, only 3.2% of children get 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day;
- activity levels among girls are even lower: only 1.2% reach the daily goal of 60 minutes, compared to 5.5% of boys.
The conclusion is obvious, most previous studies have most likely overestimated the percentage of children meeting the recommendations. Moreover, this new analysis suggests that only 3.2% of children would reach the goal.
No matter how accurate this percentage is, it shows that most children don't get enough physical activity, and this has consequences not only in childhood, but also in adulthood.
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