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Child exercise estimates 'wrong' | Child exercise estimates 'wrong' |
(1 day later) | |
Parents vastly overestimate the amount of time their children spend exercising, research suggests. | Parents vastly overestimate the amount of time their children spend exercising, research suggests. |
On average they claimed their offspring took more than two hours exercise a day - while the truth was less than 30 minutes for both boys and girls. | On average they claimed their offspring took more than two hours exercise a day - while the truth was less than 30 minutes for both boys and girls. |
The government recommends at least an hour a day - but specialists say it is impossible for parents to work out how much their child is doing. | The government recommends at least an hour a day - but specialists say it is impossible for parents to work out how much their child is doing. |
The study was published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. | The study was published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. |
What this shows is that parents really don't have a clue what their children are doing in terms of exercise Professor Terry WilkinPeninsula Medical School | What this shows is that parents really don't have a clue what their children are doing in terms of exercise Professor Terry WilkinPeninsula Medical School |
One in three 11-year-olds in the UK is said to be overweight or obese, using the body mass index method of measurement. | One in three 11-year-olds in the UK is said to be overweight or obese, using the body mass index method of measurement. |
The 60-minute recommendation was introduced in an effort to stave off the advance of obesity driven by unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyles. | The 60-minute recommendation was introduced in an effort to stave off the advance of obesity driven by unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyles. |
However, the evidence to support it is less clear and the latest study, by scientists at the Universities of Glasgow and Newcastle, suggests that monitoring it is equally problematic. | However, the evidence to support it is less clear and the latest study, by scientists at the Universities of Glasgow and Newcastle, suggests that monitoring it is equally problematic. |
They fitted 130 six and seven-year-olds with an "accelerometer", a portable recording device worn on a waist belt, and left it there for a week. | They fitted 130 six and seven-year-olds with an "accelerometer", a portable recording device worn on a waist belt, and left it there for a week. |
This measured exactly how much the child was moving during the day, working out how much time was spent on vigorous activity, such as brisk walking, running and sport. | This measured exactly how much the child was moving during the day, working out how much time was spent on vigorous activity, such as brisk walking, running and sport. |
They then asked their parents how much exercise they thought that their children had done during the week. | They then asked their parents how much exercise they thought that their children had done during the week. |
The parents provided an optimistic picture - with 83% of boys and 56% of girls reported to be meeting the 60-minute guideline. | The parents provided an optimistic picture - with 83% of boys and 56% of girls reported to be meeting the 60-minute guideline. |
Off the mark | Off the mark |
Unfortunately, the accelerometer readings showed that in fact, only 3% of boys and 2% of girls had met the target. | Unfortunately, the accelerometer readings showed that in fact, only 3% of boys and 2% of girls had met the target. |
Parents claimed an average of 146 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day, compared to an average 24 minutes offered by the accelerometer. | Parents claimed an average of 146 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day, compared to an average 24 minutes offered by the accelerometer. |
Government boffins urgently need to come up with an accurate way of monitoring kids' exercise habits Professor Alan Maryon-DavisFaculty of Public Health | |
The parent questionnaires did not even manage to pick out accurately those with lower levels of activity from those who exercised more. | The parent questionnaires did not even manage to pick out accurately those with lower levels of activity from those who exercised more. |
The study authors called for "marked improvements" in the way physical activity was measured to meet future "public health challenges". | The study authors called for "marked improvements" in the way physical activity was measured to meet future "public health challenges". |
They suggested that more research on the potential benefits of "light exercise" - which made up much of the playing activity of the children measured - might be worthwhile. | They suggested that more research on the potential benefits of "light exercise" - which made up much of the playing activity of the children measured - might be worthwhile. |
Professor Terry Wilkin, from the Peninsula Medical School in Devon, and a researcher into child exercise, said the results were "unsurprising". | Professor Terry Wilkin, from the Peninsula Medical School in Devon, and a researcher into child exercise, said the results were "unsurprising". |
He said: "What this shows is that parents really don't have a clue what their children are doing in terms of exercise - they spend most of their day at school, so how would they? | He said: "What this shows is that parents really don't have a clue what their children are doing in terms of exercise - they spend most of their day at school, so how would they? |
"If put under scrutiny, they will hopelessly overestimate activity levels. | "If put under scrutiny, they will hopelessly overestimate activity levels. |
"There is absolutely no basis for the current 60-minute recommendation and, frankly, we should leave that sort of information behind when we are trying to research the exercise levels of children." | "There is absolutely no basis for the current 60-minute recommendation and, frankly, we should leave that sort of information behind when we are trying to research the exercise levels of children." |
Worrying findings | |
Maura Gillespie, of the British Heart Foundation called the findings "deeply worrying". | Maura Gillespie, of the British Heart Foundation called the findings "deeply worrying". |
She said: "In order to really encourage children to be more active, we believe it is crucial that the environment around them allows for daily exercise. | She said: "In order to really encourage children to be more active, we believe it is crucial that the environment around them allows for daily exercise. |
"The government needs to ensure our streets are attractive and safe for cyclists and pedestrians, encouraging more children to cycle and walk to school safely. | "The government needs to ensure our streets are attractive and safe for cyclists and pedestrians, encouraging more children to cycle and walk to school safely. |
"Neighbourhoods, parks and green spaces need to be well designed and maintained to encourage children to play safely outside." | "Neighbourhoods, parks and green spaces need to be well designed and maintained to encourage children to play safely outside." |
Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the Faculty of Public Health, said: "This study shows just how inadequate our current information on children's physical activity is. | |
"Government boffins urgently need to come up with an accurate way of monitoring kids' exercise habits." |
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