Activity declines over preschool years

Childhood obesity obesity is a growing problem and recent research suggests that physical activity levels among youngsters already begin a decline before they start school. Researchers from New Zealand studied 244 children and found that the children's daily exercise levels generally declined between the ages of 3 and 5, while their time in front of the TV or in other sedentary activities stayed consistent. Using both parents' reports and an objective measure of daily activity - a wearable monitor that records the body's movements – it was found that exercise levels dipped among both boys and girls by the age of 5. Meanwhile, the children spent an average of 90 minutes per day in front of the TV or computer, with another 90 minutes devoted to other sedentary activities like reading and drawing. Those habits were consistent over time. In recent years, obesity has been rapidly increasing even among preschoolers. As few studies have looked at preschoolers' activity levels, so it's difficult to tell whether it's natural for physical activity to wane between the ages of 3 and 5 years. However, the findings are potentially concerning. In general, experts recommend that children and teenagers be physically active for at least an hour each day. Parents should help their preschoolers get enough exercise by being physically active along with them - and by putting limits on TV and computer time.

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