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The researchers linked three behaviors to higher scores on mental ability tests in children: at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, nine to 11 hours of sleep a night and no more than two hours a day of recreation time.
The new Lancet Child & Adolescent Health study included 4,524 children aged 8 to 11 years who were assessed with six standard tests that measure language skills, memory, planning ability, and speed to perform mental tasks.
Compared with those who did not meet any of the three behavioral criteria, those who met them all scored about 4% higher on combined tests. Meeting screen time and sleep requirements was associated with a 5.1% increase in scores compared to those who did not meet it. Only 5% of children met the three criteria and almost 30% did not meet any of them.
"The time spent in front of the screen may affect sleep," said lead author Jeremy J. Walsh, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia. "Sleep is a critical behavior to shape our brain. Children must sleep nine to 11 hours per night for optimal cognitive development. "
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