Children will love new guidelines set for recess by WHO- Technology News, Firstpost

Tech2 News StaffApril 26, 2019 15:47:03 IST

The World Health Organization has published new guidelines for children under 5 years old. They recommend a maximum time of activity and very less time in front of the screens.

"Improving physical activity, reducing periods of sedentary lifestyles and ensuring quality sleep in young children will improve their physical and mental health and well-being, and help prevent childhood obesity and obesity. associated diseases later in life, "says Dr. Fiona Bull, WHO's Program Officer for Surveillance and Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases in the Population.

Staying in strollers or seating for long periods of time is also prohibited.

Children playing in a park. Image Credit: Buckley AFB

More than 23% of adults and 80% of teenagers do not lead active lives. If healthy habits are established early in life, it will help shape the lives of children from childhood to adulthood.

These new guidelines on physical activity in children have been developed by a panel of experts to WHO. They assessed the effects of sleep deprivation, time spent watching screens or sitting near chairs and strollers on young children. They also examined the benefits of increased activity in children.

Main recommendations for #Enfants less than five years are:

spend less time sitting watching screens
spend less time in strollers and seats
have a better quality of sleep
Play more interactively to grow healthy:
new WHO guidelines https://t.co/TpaVBs9pyr pic.twitter.com/ZuQCWHN355

– Anshu Banerjee (@ABanerjeeWHO) April 25, 2019

The importance of physical activity and its impact on physical and mental health has been recognized by Commission to end childhood obesity, who initially asked for these clear guidelines.

"What we really need is to bring back play for the kids," says Dr. Juana Willumsen of the WHO, head of the Obesity Coordination Center and the Ministry of Health. physical activity in children. "It's about going from sedentary to recess, while protecting sleep.

The guidance at a glance provided by the WHO

Infants (less than one year old) should:

• Do physical activity several times a day in a variety of ways, including interactive ground 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.
• Do not stay strapped for more than an hour at a time (strollers, strollers, high chairs, or tied to the back of the health care provider). 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 from 14 to 17h (from 0 to 3 months) or from 12 to 16h (from 4 to 11 months), including naps.

Children aged 1 to 2 should:

• Spend at least 180 minutes on various types of physical activity, regardless of their intensity, including moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, spread throughout the day; the better it is.
• Do not be immobilized more than one hour at a time (strollers, strollers, high chairs, or tied on the back of a caregiver), nor 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 2, the time spent in front of a sedentary screen should not exceed 1 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 naps, with regular sleep and waking hours.

Children aged 3-4 should:

• Spend at least 180 minutes on different types of physical activity, regardless of intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate to vigorous physical activity, spread throughout the day; the better it is.
• Do not be immobilized for more than one hour at a time (eg strollers / strollers) and do not sit for long periods of time. The time spent in front of a sedentary screen should not exceed 1 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.

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