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Physical activity for children: what are the US recommendations?
Author(s) -
Frary Carol,
Johnson Rachel K.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
nutrition bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1467-3010
pISSN - 1471-9827
DOI - 10.1046/j.1467-3010.2000.00077.x
Subject(s) - national health and nutrition examination survey , physical activity , childhood obesity , medicine , physical fitness , obesity , environmental health , gerontology , family medicine , physical therapy , psychology , overweight , population
Summary Data from three US nationwide surveys, the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS), the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), and the Practice Partner Research Network (PPRNet), have found that obesity is steadily increasing among American children. At the same time, statistics indicate that children and adolescents are becoming more inactive, especially as they get older. Childhood obesity and physical inactivity have similar health risks that can ultimately lead to serious health consequences. Moderate physical activity is recommended for everyone. Physical activity should include aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and endurance, as suggested by national policy. The Kid's Activity Pyramid is a teaching tool for health care professionals, educators, parents, and children themselves, to be used to encourage daily physical activity. Children need to be on the move every day to develop and maintain strong bones and muscles and sustain a healthy weight.