They recommend not exposing children to screens – ElSol.com.ar – Diario de Mendoza, Argentina

Children should not have access to screens before the age of two and spend an hour against them between three and four years, even if less time is better, according to new recommendations issued Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

This guide, based on a review of around 100 studies from around the world, provides specific recommendations on the daily time that children under five should spend on physical activity, sleep and to it must shorten the time of the sedentary life.

As the screens are considered television and videos, computer games and consoles.

The WHO has decided to be very precise in these recommendations by adapting them to three age categories within five years: less than one year, between one and two years and between three and four years. .

Experts agree that Early childhood, which is experiencing rapid growth and cognitive development, is the period in which children's habits are formed and family routines are more open to change and more adaptable.

"Improve physical activity, reduce sedentary time and ensure the child a quality sleep, improve his physical and mental health, as well as his well-being in general, to prevent obesity and other diseases later in life, explained one of the leaders in the development of the WHO guide, Fiona Bull, at a press conference.

Available data indicate that Overweight, 40 million children under five years old (5.9% of the total).

For the babies, it is proposed to stimulate their physical activity several times a day and to privilege the interactive game when they are lying, and for those who are not yet mobile, place them at least 30 minutes of the day while they are awake.

Moments of pbadivity (including those who pbad in a cart or baby seat or who are subject to the back or chest of the person who takes care of it) must not exceed one hour in a row, while any type are totally discouraged. .

The hours of sleep must be between 14 and 17 years old during the first three months of life and between 12 and 16 hours until eleven months., including naps.

For children from one to two years old, physical activity must occupy at least 180 minutes of the day and come in different forms. For children one year old, it is established that one must avoid the screens, for those two years it is mentioned that the maximum It must be an hour, but less would be better.

The hours of sleep are between 11 and 14 hours, which includes normal sleep and the time needed to wake up.

For 3- and 4-year-olds, we always recommend at least 180 minutes of varied physical activity, but this time it is suggested that 60 minutes of this time should consist of physical activity of a certain intensity.

Longer physical activity is healthier, whereas the time spent on the screens must not exceed one hour, while the sleep time is slightly lowered between 10 and 13 hours a day.

Throughout this period, between zero and five years, experts encourage parents and caregivers to enjoy moments of tranquility during interactive activities, such as reading or telling a story. story to the child and play.

The lack of respect in all parts of the world for existing recommendations for adults and adolescents regarding the amount of time they have to devote to physical activity is obvious.

According to the most recent badessments, 23% of adults and 80% of adolescents do not have sufficient physical activity.

Since habits are established early in life, WHO believes that this guide can help to create healthy habits that will last during childhood, adolescence and adulthood.