Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
A new study from Columbus-based researchers shows that the vast majority of youth do not get the federally recommended amount of exercise – 60 minutes per day (Source: “Study: Doctors Should Treat Physical Activity as a ‘Vital Sign’ of Children’s Overall Health,” The Columbus Dispatch, December 6, 2018).
The new study by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, presented last month at an American Academy of Pediatrics conference, showed that only about 5% of children seen at outpatient pediatric sports-medicine clinics were getting the federally recommended amount of physical activity — at least one hour every day.
Among the other children, 50% were less active, and 5% participated in no physical activity. The remaining 40% were getting either too much exercise, or too much on certain days and too little on others.
The researchers said the numbers indicate a need for physicians to screen for physical activity just as they would a vital sign, akin to height or weight. Doctors should ask families how many minutes of activity youngsters get, discuss what’s enough or too much and, when necessary, write “prescriptions” for activity, ideally in specific programs, the researchers said.