OnMedica – News – Under-5s need to play more and spend less time sitting in front of a screen

The WHO guidelines require young children to be more active and sleep well to stay healthy

According to the new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, preschoolers should play and sleep more, spend less time sitting and use screens to allow them to grow up in good health. The British experts welcomed WHO's emphasis on children's health and activity levels, but added that not only could general recommendations alienate rather than motivate families, proposed restrictions on posting time did not "appear to be proportionate to potential harm".

The WHO said its new guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep of children under five had been developed by its expert group to evaluate the effects of insufficient sleep on young children and the time spent watching screens or sitting in a seat or stroller. . They also examined the evidence relating to the benefits of increased activity. As a result, they concluded that the 24-hour global activity pattern is essential: to replace the time spent in front of a sedentary or sedentary screen prolonged by a more active game, while ensuring that young children benefit from 39, a good quality sleep. But they added that "high quality sedentary time" devoted to non-screen-based interactive activities with a health care provider, such as reading, narration, singing and puzzles, is also very important for the development of l & # 39; child. The recommendations are as follows:

Infants (less than one year old) should:

• be physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, including through interactive floor games; the better it is. For those who are not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes while lying down on your stomach all day long while you are awake.
• not be immobilized more than one hour at a time (strollers, strollers, high chairs, or attached to the caregiver's back, for example). The duration of the screen is not recommended. When they are sedentary, he is encouraged to read and tell stories with a caregiver.
• Have a good quality sleep of 14 to 17 hours (0 to 3 months) or 12 to 16 hours (4 to 11 months), including naps.

Children aged 1-2 should:

• devote at least 180 minutes to various types of physical activity, regardless of their intensity, including moderate-to-high intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; the better it is.
• Do not be strapped for more than one hour at a time (eg strollers, strollers, high chairs, or strapped to the back of caregivers) or sit for long periods of time. For one-year-olds, the time spent in front of a sedentary screen (like watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged two, the time spent in front of a sedentary screen should not exceed one hour; less is better. When they are sedentary, he is encouraged to read and tell stories with a caregiver.
• have 11 to 14 hours of good quality sleep, including napping, with regular hours of sleep and waking.

And children aged 3 to 4 should:

• devote at least 180 minutes to various types of physical activity, regardless of their intensity, including at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, spread throughout the day; the better it is.
• do not stay attached more than one hour at a time (for example, strollers / strollers) or remain seated for long periods. Time spent in front of a sedentary screen should not exceed one hour; less is better. When they are sedentary, he is encouraged to read and tell stories with a caregiver.
• have 10 to 13 hours of good quality sleep, which can include a nap, with regular sleep and waking hours.

Dr. Juana Willumsen, Head of Obesity and Physical Activity for Children, commented, "What we really need to do is bring the game back to the children. It is a question of moving from sedentary to recess, while protecting sleep. "

The WHO explained that if healthy physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep patterns were established early in life, this would help shape habits throughout childhood, from childhood to early childhood. adolescence and up to adulthood.

The Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health welcomed the focus of the WHO on "important health issues" and said it hoped the result would be more research and interventions to help children and families lead healthy lives. However, he warned that "without the proper support in place, the pursuit of the perfect could become the enemy of good".

Dr. Max Davie, Head of Health Improvement at the College, said, "Recommendations alone can have a number of unintended consequences, and simply proposing standards without providing the appropriate support could discourage families than to motivate him.

"If it is important for children to be as active as possible, the barriers are more often related to housing, work habits, family stress, and lack of access to play spaces rather than children." at the active choice of being sedentary.

He continued: "The limited screen time limits suggested by the WHO do not seem proportionate to the potential damage. Our research has shown that, at present, there is not enough solid evidence to support the establishment of time limits for screens, and that the use of the screen should be considered in conjunction with a range of activities to evaluate its impact. In addition, it is difficult to see how a household with mixed-age children can protect a baby from any exposure to the screen, as recommended. "