tag:theconversation.com,2011:/id/topics/inactivity-10696/articlesinactivity – The Conversation2019-12-26T21:39:52Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1239182019-12-26T21:39:52Z2019-12-26T21:39:52Z4 ways to get your kids off the couch these summer holidays<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/306259/original/file-20191211-95125-1qc2bm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=1%2C10%2C997%2C655&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Come school holidays, your school-aged kids are more likely to spend longer on their screens than they do in term time. Here's how to get them outside and active, with a bit of planning.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/back-view-image-cute-little-blond-1477614533">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The sun’s shining and there’s a trampoline in the backyard. Yet your kids want to spend their summer holidays lying on the couch playing computer games all day.</p>
<p>So what can you do to help your school-aged kids stay active and healthy this summer?</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/more-than-one-in-four-aussie-kids-are-overweight-or-obese-were-failing-them-and-we-need-a-plan-114005">More than one in four Aussie kids are overweight or obese: we're failing them, and we need a plan</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Kids put on weight over the holidays</h2>
<p>In 2016, a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27804271">US study</a> found that all the increase in fatness of school-aged children occurred over the summer holidays. During term time, kids get leaner and leaner, only to put it all back on, and then some, during the holidays. </p>
<p>Their <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17548760">fitness also declines</a> during holiday time. To make matters worse, changes are greater in kids from <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0002831213502516?journalCode=aera">poorer, less educated backgrounds</a>, and the gap between rich and poor widens over multiple summer holidays. The work of the school is undone at home. </p>
<p>What’s going on, and what can parents do about it?</p>
<h2>Holidays are different</h2>
<p>Kids spend their time <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-6765-6">differently on holidays</a>, as we showed in a study published earlier this year. </p>
<p>On holidays, Australian kids get 58 minutes a day more screen time than during term time, including spending 16 minutes a day more playing video games. They get 16 minutes less sport and vigorous exercise each day.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-why-does-the-teenage-brain-need-more-sleep-29557">Explainer: why does the teenage brain need more sleep?
</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>They also get 40 minutes more sleep, staying up about 40 minutes later, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9158439">sleeping in</a> 80 minutes more.</p>
<p>All this adds up: their overall energy expenditure is more than 5% lower. Over six weeks of school holidays, that amounts to an extra half kilogram of fat in a typical 11-year old, and that’s without counting changes in diet.</p>
<p>Kids eat differently on holidays, too. </p>
<p>On school days, kids can only eat during recess and lunch. Their options are limited by school-based healthy eating initiatives such as “fruit time”, healthy canteen menus, and the curriculum about healthy lunchboxes. </p>
<p>All that goes out the window on holidays. Kids fall victim to the gravitational pull of the big white box in the kitchen. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306268/original/file-20191211-95111-1kcb5nq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">In the holidays, kids fall victim to the gravitational pull of the fridge.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/woman-looking-open-fridge-family-letters-1110081056">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On weekends and school holidays, kids have greater choice of how much, what and when they eat. Most (knowingly) choose <a href="https://academic.oup.com/heapro/article/23/2/144/712577">less healthy options</a>. </p>
<p>Later bedtimes mean more <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26264005">screen time</a> and more <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23295498">snacking</a>. Longer lie-ins often mean kids skip breakfast.</p>
<h2>The importance of structure</h2>
<p><a href="https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-017-0555-2">US researchers</a> coined the idea of “structured days”. School days, they argue, are characterised by consistency and structure, which regulate how kids use their time, and when and what they eat. </p>
<p>On school days, for example, two-thirds of kids get up within an hour of each other (roughly between 6:30 and 7:30 am); on non-school days, it is over three hours (between 6:45 and 10:05 am).</p>
<p>Their review of 190 studies compared children’s sleep, physical activity, sedentary behaviours and diet on school days and weekends. They found that in 80% of studies, weekends were associated with unfavourable activity and dietary patterns.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/306270/original/file-20191211-95120-1jrp4i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Unstructured time during school holidays can lead to longer lie-ins and missed breakfasts.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-caucasian-boy-sleeping-bed-742624951">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>During school term, the unhealthy impacts of unstructured weekend days are diluted. In contrast, the school holidays, and particularly the summer holidays, involve a long string of unstructured days and unfavourable activity and dietary behaviours. This leads to a decline in fitness and accelerated <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24367922">weight gain</a>.</p>
<p>The “<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1375/acri.39.3.398?journalCode=anja">filled-time perspective</a>” describes the sensible idea that when children’s time is filled with favourable activities, the time cannot be filled with unfavourable ones. </p>
<p>This suggests it is helpful to fill children’s time with favourable activities, like physical activity and excursions, to reduce the time available for unfavourable activities, such as snacking and screen time. </p>
<p>So what can parents do to keep kids healthy and active on school holidays? Here are four ways, with a proven track record.</p>
<h2>1. Get kids outside</h2>
<p>Studies consistently show time spent outside is strongly associated with both <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335519301779">physical and mental health</a>. That effect is likely due to kids being more physically active outdoors.</p>
<h2>2. Try summer camps</h2>
<p>Summer camps are popular in Europe and North America, and <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/destinations/aussie-summer-camps-for-kids/14d1b415-dab5-4b3c-9932-f613696ac0df">also run in Australia</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonie_de_vacances">An estimated 1.3 million</a> French school children go off to their “colonies de vacances” each summer. In the US, over 14 million kids attend <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28350830">summer camps</a>. </p>
<p>Children who spend more time in summer camp are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20334661">more active</a> than those who spend more time at home over the summer holiday. </p>
<p>Some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28214251">80% of boys and 73% of girls</a> who attended a summer day camp met the daily physical activity recommendations of 60 minutes per day — about four times as many as those reaching that target during the year.</p>
<h2>3. Activity before screen time</h2>
<p>Only allow screen time when the kids have been physically active, even if that only means doing household chores. On holidays, kids spend <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-6765-6">35 minutes more</a> each day doing chores, so this may be your chance to get your kids to pitch in. </p>
<h2>4. Plan the day</h2>
<p>Organise time for physical activity with your child. Have a game of beach cricket or a mini-Olympics in the backyard. Take the dog for a walk. Organise excursions to the museum, or even shopping, where they get to walk around. Have regular times for meals and relaxation.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-suburban-parks-offer-an-antidote-to-helicopter-parenting-115155">Why suburban parks offer an antidote to helicopter parenting</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/123918/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Tim Olds receives funding from the NHMRC and the ARC.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Amanda Watson receives funding from the NHMRC</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Carol Maher receives funding from the NHMRC.</span></em></p>The average Australian school kid spends more time watching TV or gaming and less time being active over their summer holidays. Could more chores be the answer?Tim Olds, Professor of Health Sciences, University of South AustraliaAmanda Watson, Research Associate, University of South AustraliaCarol Maher, Associate Professor, NHMRC Career Development Fellow, University of South AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1129572019-07-08T20:11:32Z2019-07-08T20:11:32ZLook up north. Here’s how Aussie kids can move more at school, Nordic style<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/282816/original/file-20190705-51292-1qhjgxx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Some Nordic school kids are doing an average of two to three hours of physical activity a week. Does Australia need to lift its game?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sangudo/8088867674/in/photolist-djMyxL-oeTL4z-qbazGv-djMun8-8CMreq-66zzhS-8CJm9a-arHjKQ-ax2nuJ-2d9o4Zr-SoGh2U-6x9huE-oeYDuT-arHjG3-9W4NFv-mMHvuy-qjHLjq-2vU5z-UTSLHm-ayXUFy-cvMyz9-c3y76j-9sraaP-HvLJoH-pXPps9-jxUaWV-aV4ouX-THnUKg-5Qv7UW-djMhFU-oeQHiZ-RgPTe7-REvPxt-REwNAM-quqVdd-REvKbT-2eyyxnY-5GXEAS-RvjAiK-5GXFg3-dYewrF-8Hpynr-REwc9V-q5s4oL-2aw1Xx2-ek1kTK-242GJKt-5GTjsP-72dVtw-ax2Byo">CAHPER/Sangudo/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Inactivity in school children has been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/just-how-healthy-are-aussie-pre-teens/11281164">in the news again</a> with the release of a study into the health of Australian 11-12 year olds from around the country.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/Suppl_3/1">1,800 person study</a> found most children were healthy. But there was room for improvement in areas including physical activity and weight.</p>
<p>It’s a different story for Finnish children and their other Nordic counterparts. They outperform most other highly developed nations when it comes to childrens’ <a href="https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/full/10.1123/jpah.2018-0472">physical activity levels</a> and <a href="http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/nutrition/publications/2018/childhood-obesity-surveillance-initiative-cosi-factsheet.-highlights-2015-17-2018">obesity rates</a>.</p>
<p>So what can Australia’s school system learn from the Nordic approach to physical education?</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/they-believe-in-teachers-and-in-education-for-all-why-finlands-kids-often-top-league-tables-32223">They believe in teachers and in education for all: why Finland's kids often top league tables</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Active kids do well, wherever they are</h2>
<p>Throughout the world, physical education <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02671520701809817">is recognised</a> for its contribution to education itself (teaching movement skills), development of personal and social skills (including learning rules, strategy and cooperation with others) and of course children’s physical health. </p>
<p>More research is also suggesting physical activity (which in school, is achieved through physical education and active play during break periods) is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1440244016000554">positively associated with educational attainment</a>, particularly in maths. In other words, active kids tend to do better at school.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/move-it-move-it-how-physical-activity-at-school-helps-the-mind-as-well-as-the-body-100175">Move it, move it: how physical activity at school helps the mind (as well as the body)</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Does the curriculum need to be more specific?</h2>
<p>The Australian national curriculum combines <a href="https://australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/health-and-physical-education/?strand=Personal,+Social+and+Community+Health&strand=Movement+and+Physical+Activity&capability=ignore&priority=ignore&elaborations=true">health and physical education as one learning area</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/282818/original/file-20190705-51262-b1vwly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Physical activity at school sets children up for a lifetime of being active.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.defense.gov%2F2019%2FJun%2F19%2F2002147179%2F-1%2F-1%2F0%2F190610-Z-FC129-011.JPG&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wv.ng.mil%2FNews%2FArticle%2F1880737%2Fstarbase-west-virginia-summer-camps-provide-stem-learning-for-military-kids%2F&docid=dTHGAHqAUYGZMM&tbnid=g0LHs-N5CUSvzM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwj5uMLM-JzjAhWOaCsKHSB1ALoQMwiIASgdMB0..i&w=2752&h=4128&hl=en&bih=1001&biw=1876&q=kids%20physical%20education%20&ved=0ahUKEwj5uMLM-JzjAhWOaCsKHSB1ALoQMwiIASgdMB0&iact=mrc&uact=8">Edwin Wriston/West Virginia National Guard</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The health component sets out to teach children about many aspects of health, including alcohol, nutrition, relationships and sexuality. The physical education component offers children the chance to take part in games, adventure activities, fundamental movement skills, sports and rhythmic movement activities such as dance.</p>
<p>The curriculum says children should engage in “regular movement-based learning experiences”. However <a href="https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/health-and-physical-education/aims/">how regular this needs to be and how long for is not specified or even recommended</a>.</p>
<p>This contrasts with the Nordic countries which enforce weekly minimums for physical education in schools. For example, <a href="https://academic.oup.com/heapro/article/31/2/480/1750644">Denmark</a> has a <a href="https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/full/10.1123/jpah.2018-0509">mandatory 60-90 minutes of physical education a week</a>.</p>
<p>In Finland, physical activity classes are also mandatory. Data suggests primary and secondary schools provide an <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00336297.2014.948688">average two hours a week</a>. The Norwegians provide an <a href="http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-3d12a050-c7d7-465c-bbaa-6094db35fefd?q=643dd351-28ed-4ce7-80e8-c55996684711$1&qt=IN_PAGE">average two to three hours a week</a>.</p>
<h2>How about specialist teachers?</h2>
<p>Delivering effective physical education classes requires a varied skill set, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>motivating children</li>
<li>developing skills</li>
<li>managing behaviour</li>
<li>engaging children, particularly ones with lesser skills, and</li>
<li>modifying activities to challenge children with different needs and abilities.</li>
</ul>
<p>Classroom teachers <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3200/JOER.101.2.99-112?casa_token=Lt4dtwvOTX4AAAAA:8oUarxTKbDjVyMjYCMlSsWnptUhKLNv0I3Ydi--DgZs4VfhDCmMhOPERmXCvBj_VSfVOYGXGpvxZ">often report</a> they are not fully equipped to plan, implement and assess physical education lessons. </p>
<p>So Nordic countries are aiming to <a href="https://www.ucviden.dk/portal/en/publications/status-paa-idraetsfaget-2011-spif11(357113ec-00ef-4df0-addb-8bfd21225b84).html">only use specialist physical education teachers</a>.</p>
<p>Specialist physical education teachers <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1356336X11402266">are also better at</a> motivating students to engage in physical education and physical activity.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/from-grassroots-to-gold-the-role-of-school-sport-in-olympic-success-8849">From grassroots to gold: the role of school sport in Olympic success</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The <a href="https://www.activehealthykids.org/">Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance</a> <a href="https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/full/10.1123/jpah.2018-0472">recommends</a> all physical activity classes be delivered by specialist, tertiary-qualified physical education teachers. </p>
<p>However, a recent review by <a href="https://www.activehealthykidsaustralia.com.au/">Active Healthy Kids Australia</a> found <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1753-6405.12751">no Australian states or territories</a> are meeting this recommendation.</p>
<h2>On the right track, but could do better</h2>
<p>The Australian national curriculum is on the right track in many ways. Gone are the harrowing days of waiting to be picked for a team, being made to run for punishment, and measuring children’s weight or skinfolds in front of the class.</p>
<p>The national curriculum emphasises enjoyment and participation in movement-based activities, positive challenges, leading to personal and social outcomes, intended to set children up for lifelong activity. </p>
<p>However, by failing to mandate physical education time each week, we risk physical education being “pushed to the periphery” and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1356336x07085708">losing out</a> to other priorities.</p>
<p>Australia could learn from the Nords by:</p>
<ul>
<li>introducing nationwide mandatory physical education policy that ensures every school in Australia schedules weekly classes as part of the core curriculum;</li>
<li>mandating every school in Australia delivers high-quality physical education through tertiary-trained physical education teachers for all students.</li>
</ul>
<p>Without these mandates, great things are happening in some schools. However, other schools are slipping through the cracks. It’s time to learn from the Nordic countries to ensure high-quality physical education for all. Because the right physical education can lay the foundations for an active lifestyle, for life.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/kids-diets-and-screen-time-to-set-up-good-habits-make-healthy-choices-the-default-at-home-114827">Kids' diets and screen time: to set up good habits, make healthy choices the default at home</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/112957/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Carol Maher receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Charlotte Pawlowski and Katja Siefken do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Specialist teachers and hours of compulsory physical education a week are keeping Nordic school children moving. When it comes to physical activity, Australia could do better.Katja Siefken, Lecturer, University of South AustraliaCarol Maher, Associate Professor, NHMRC Career Development Fellow, University of South AustraliaCharlotte Pawlowski, Associate Professor, University of Southern DenmarkLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1096842019-01-17T10:28:22Z2019-01-17T10:28:22ZPhysical activity programmes in schools aren’t working – here’s why<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/254173/original/file-20190116-163274-lgeb25.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>A third of children in the UK are <a href="https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/health-survey-for-england-2014">overweight or obese by the time they reach primary school</a>. Many other countries are facing the same issue, with a tenfold increase in the worldwide prevalence of childhood obesity <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673617321293?via%3Dihub">over the past four decades</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44399/9789241599979_eng.pdf?sequence=1">International guidelines</a> recommend that young people aged five to 18 should do at least an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. But globally, eight out of ten adolescents <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673612606461?via%3Dihub">fail to meet these guidelines</a>. In particular, <a href="https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005768-200202000-00025">girls</a> and children from <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-10-214">disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds</a> are less likely to be physically active.</p>
<p>Governments worldwide are attempting to tackle the growing problem of obesity by increasing the amount of physical activity young people are doing on a daily basis. In the UK, for instance, the government’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action">Childhood Obesity Strategy</a> focuses on helping pupils in schools to move more. </p>
<p>A typical school-based intervention may introduce activity breaks into daily class lessons or add a new physical education lesson through a specialised teacher. It could also include building new playground equipment or assigning physically active homework. In the UK, funding for such initiatives, specifically to finance physical activity in primary schools, has recently <a href="https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CDP-2017-0006">doubled to £320m</a>. This is thanks to additional revenue generated from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. </p>
<p>But while this all sounds well and good, robust evidence for the effectiveness of existing school-based physical activity programmes is lacking. It is also unclear whether all children – irrespective of socioeconomic status – benefit equally. </p>
<h2>Moving more</h2>
<p>Our <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/obr.12823">recent research</a>, which examined 17 international trials, shows that current efforts are not working as intended. When the results of these interventions were combined, there was no effect in increasing the amount of physical activity school children engaged in across the full day. </p>
<p>We conducted a review examining previous research on school interventions that aim to improve physical activity. We looked at trials conducted in Europe, Australasia and North and South America. On average, 20 schools and over 450 children were included in each individual study. Physical activity was measured objectively using automatic electronic monitors to capture actual physical activity across the full day, instead of asking students or parents what they remembered doing, which can be highly inaccurate. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/254177/original/file-20190116-163277-g4bwek.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/254177/original/file-20190116-163277-g4bwek.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254177/original/file-20190116-163277-g4bwek.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254177/original/file-20190116-163277-g4bwek.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254177/original/file-20190116-163277-g4bwek.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254177/original/file-20190116-163277-g4bwek.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254177/original/file-20190116-163277-g4bwek.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Many children don’t get enough daily exercise.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pexels</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>What we found was not promising. Overall, the interventions were ineffective in changing the amount of physical activity school children did across the day – compared to children in control schools. Breaking down the data, we found no evidence of effectiveness among girls or boys, or for children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. </p>
<p>So despite the promise of schools being the ideal environment for influencing young people’s health behaviours, the available evidence suggests current efforts are failing.</p>
<h2>Beyond the school gate</h2>
<p>But this does not mean there should be an end to school-based interventions. But there does need to be a better understanding of what went wrong with these previous initiatives – along with work to improve them. </p>
<p>One reason for the lack of effectiveness, for example, could be that the programmes may not have been implemented as intended in schools. The programmes often include many components and depend on a range of (already busy) school staff implementing them in a particular way. But to what extent this happens is very often unclear. Similarly, we know little about what the main barriers are to implementing full programmes as intended. It could also be the case that school-based initiatives have a positive impact on children’s physical activity during school hours, but that this is not maintained outside school. </p>
<p>Having said that, it is unlikely that substantial changes to physical activity and obesity will be made by focusing only on schools. More work needs to be done to make sure the wider environments children spend time in are supportive for behaviour change – this includes their homes and local communities.</p>
<p>So given that childhood obesity increases the risk of diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer in adulthood, and that together these diseases are estimated to cause around <a href="https://www.who.int/nmh/publications/ncd-status-report-2014/en/">seven in ten deaths worldwide</a>, this is something that needs to happen sooner rather than later.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/109684/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rebecca Love receives funding from the Gates Cambridge. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Esther van Sluijs receives funding from MRC, NIHR, and DoH. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jean Adams receives funding from the National Institute for Health Research, the Health Foundation, the Medical Research Council, and the Department of Health & Social Care.</span></em></p>There has been a tenfold increase in the worldwide prevalence of childhood obesity over the past four decades.Rebecca Love, PhD Candidate in the Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of CambridgeEsther van Sluijs, Programme lead – Behavioural Epidemiology, University of CambridgeJean Adams, Senior University Lecturer in Dietary Public Health Research, University of CambridgeLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/838082017-09-18T20:07:21Z2017-09-18T20:07:21ZHow the media oversold standing desks as a fix for inactivity at work<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/185787/original/file-20170913-7622-19tp6ji.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Media reports failed to mention limits to evidence in new guidelines about sitting and moving at work, and missed commercial interests that were initially not disclosed.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sit-Stand-Adjustable-Desk-FlexTable.jpg">Kennyrhoads/Wikimedia Commons</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Sitting is so culturally ingrained at work, at the wheel, in front of the TV and at the movies, it takes a great effort to imagine doing these things standing up, let alone pedalling as you work at a “<a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350616303882">bike desk</a>”. </p>
<p>So, when the world’s <a href="http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/21/1357.long">first specific guidelines</a> on sitting and moving at work were published, they generated headlines <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/abandon-your-chair-for-four-hours-to-stay-healthy-office-workers-are-told-tzssslt6bj7">such as</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Abandon your chair for four hours to stay healthy, office workers are told</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/stand-up-at-your-desk-for-two-hours-a-day-new-guidelines-say/news-story/47a10915385ec6c890dfaf68df7d7f01">and</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Stand up at your desk for two hours a day, new guidelines say</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But what many media reports did not mention was the guidelines were based on limited evidence. They were also co-authored by someone with commercial links to sit-stand desks (desks you raise and lower to work at standing or sitting), a <a href="http://getbritainstanding.org/pdfs/BJSM_Expert%20Statement%202015_06.pdf">link not declared</a> when the guidelines were first published in a journal.</p>
<p>Media reports also overplayed the dangers of sitting at work, incorrectly saying it wiped out the benefits of exercise.</p>
<p>Our <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2017.1359034?scroll=top&needAccess=true">new study</a> reveals the nature of this media coverage and its role in overselling sit-stand desks as a solution to inactivity at work.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-the-low-down-on-standing-desks-37515">Health Check: the low-down on standing desks</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Yes, sitting is associated with health risks, such as <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0080000">dying early from any cause</a>, having <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12627/abstract">heart disease</a> and <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28028/abstract">even cancer progression</a>. So, no wonder we want to know if we should be sitting less.</p>
<p>Employers are also starting to see sitting as an occupational health and safety issue and <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687016302708?via%3Dihub">sit-stand desks, standing desks and even treadmill desks</a>
are popping up at work.</p>
<p>To address these issues, the <a href="http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/21/1357.long">guidelines recommended</a> measures including:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>aiming for two hours a day of standing and light activity (slow walking) during working hours, eventually progressing to a total of four hours a day for all office workers with mainly desk-based roles</p></li>
<li><p>regularly breaking up sit-down work with standing using adjustable sit-stand desks or work stations</p></li>
<li><p>avoiding long periods of standing still, which may be as harmful as long periods sitting</p></li>
<li><p>changing posture and doing some light walking to alleviate possible musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, and</p></li>
<li><p>recommending employers warn staff about the potential dangers of too much sitting at work or at home, as part of workplace health and wellness activities.</p></li>
</ul>
<h2>How did the media report this?</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2017.1359034?scroll=top&needAccess=true">Our team analysed</a> news articles about the guidelines published in media outlets around the world.</p>
<p>We found all the articles reported the top-line recommendation to reduce sitting by two hours a day, and to replace the sitting with standing or slow walking. </p>
<p>Almost two-thirds of articles also noted the recommendation that people should regularly break up seated work with standing, and that this could be done with a sit-stand desk.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=373&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=373&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=373&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=469&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=469&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186159/original/file-20170915-16257-1r75pmi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=469&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The guidelines recommended breaking up long periods of sitting down at work. But are sit-stand desks the answer?</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/download/confirm/609711524?src=VwGxqS3XF72GyUoI8B3lBQ-1-37&size=medium_jpg">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Even though the guidelines’ authors said the recommendations were based on the best evidence so far and more evidence was needed, these caveats <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2017.1359034?scroll=top&needAccess=true">did not make it into most news media reporting</a>.</p>
<p>These caveats are important because the authors acknowledge the evidence quality is weak and that guidelines are likely to change.</p>
<h2>Commercial interests</h2>
<p>The news media also seemed to be unaware of amendments to the journal article, including to <a href="http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/21/1357.long">expand the disclosure of competing interests</a> to clarify one author, Gavin Bradley, has a connection to the business of selling sit-stand desks. </p>
<p>The revised version notes Gavin Bradley is 100% owner of a website that sells sit-stand work products called Sit-Stand Trading Limited. He is also director of the Active Working Community Interest Company (CIC). </p>
<p>The Active Working CIC runs the <a href="http://www.getbritainstanding.org">Get Britain Standing campaign</a> and is active in <a href="http://activeworking.com/pdfs/Press-Release.pdf">other parts of the world</a> <a href="http://activeworking.com/index">including the EU, USA and Australia</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-sitting-is-not-the-new-smoking-72568">Why sitting is not the 'new smoking'</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>According to the Australian arm, <a href="http://getaustraliastanding.org/sitting_problem">Get Australia Standing</a>, these campaigns aim to raise awareness and educate the community about:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>… the dangers of sedentary working and prolonged sitting time.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The website also features a range of sit-stand work products and providers.</p>
<p>We are not suggesting Gavin Bradley skewed the sit-stand desk evidence in the guidelines. But the initial failure to disclose his interests is a concern.</p>
<h2>No, sitting doesn’t cancel out exercise</h2>
<p>In our study, we also found more than one-third of articles incorrectly warned that too much sitting cancels out the benefits of exercise.</p>
<p>This is contrary to recent research showing high levels of moderate intensity physical activity (about 60–75 min a day) seem to <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)30370-1/abstract">eliminate the increased risk</a> of early death associated with high levels of sitting time (eight hours a day or more).</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/185783/original/file-20170913-7555-1f0d8m5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Most media reports claimed that sitting cancels out the benefits of exercise, which isn’t true.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/download/success?src=uzNpxY-y95YQr51wiharQA-1-10">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This rigorous study, analysing data from one million adults, also found this high activity level reduces, but does not remove, the increased risk linked to high levels of TV-viewing.</p>
<p>Yet, this study does not appear among the <a href="http://getaustraliastanding.org/research">research resources</a> on the Get Australia Standing campaign website, which appears to promote the message that it doesn’t matter if you are physically active, if you sit a lot you are doing yourself harm.</p>
<h2>How realistic are the recommendations anyway?</h2>
<p>Regardless of the media reporting of the guidelines, we need to ask ourselves how realistic the guidelines are.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/21/1357.long">recommendations</a>
may be premature and hard to put into practice given that <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.12201/abstract;jsessionid=A4A94CCC7767919985CBFF3B183886D1.f02t03">studies involving motivated participants</a> have only managed to reduce the time spent sitting by 77 minutes in an eight-hour work day. </p>
<p>Workers may use sit-stand desks and they may reduce sitting time but the evidence is not yet in to show this produces <a href="http://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/10.1123/jpah.2016-0384">detectable health benefits</a>, at least in the short term. And standing too long at work has been linked to an <a href="https://theconversation.com/standing-too-much-at-work-can-double-your-risk-of-heart-disease-83629">increased risk of heart disease</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/standing-too-much-at-work-can-double-your-risk-of-heart-disease-83629">Standing too much at work can double your risk of heart disease</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The guidelines also contrast with recently updated Australian <a href="http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/F01F92328EDADA5BCA257BF0001E720D/%24File/brochure%20PA%20Guidelines_A5_18-64yrs.PDF">national physical activity guidelines</a>.</p>
<p>These make general recommendations to sit less and break up periods of uninterrupted sitting because the experts conclude the evidence does not point to a specific amount of sitting time at which harm begins.</p>
<p>Given the evolving research field and the vested interests, we need to pay attention to sitting time, standing, and physical activity levels as well as the role of industry players and their contribution to advice on health.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/83808/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Catriona Bonfiglioli has received funding from the Australian Research Council (ARCDP 1096251), the UTS Early Career Research Grant program (2010 2009001198), the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism (2009), the Public Health Education and Research Program (2000: PHERP 052), The Reuter Foundation (1997), and the University of Sydney (1999 UPA). Catriona has been a co-investigator on projects funded by The National Health and Medical Research Council Project (2010: 632840) and UTS. Catriona is a member of the Public Health Association of Australia's NSW branch committee.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Josephine Chau was supported by Postdoctoral Fellowship (#100567) from the National Heart Foundation of Australia (2015-2017); she has directly received consulting funds from the World Health Organization, and Bill Bellew Consulting Associates; and travel reimbursement from Marsh Pty Ltd.</span></em></p>Here’s how reporting of the world’s first specific advice on reducing inactivity at work has overplayed the role of standing desks.Catriona Bonfiglioli, Senior Lecturer, Media Studies, University of Technology SydneyJosephine Chau, Lecturer in Prevention and Research Fellow in Public Health, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/742722017-04-06T11:01:39Z2017-04-06T11:01:39ZWe asked children why they don’t get enough exercise – here’s what they said<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/163891/original/image-20170404-24768-w2tah4.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The state of play.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pexels.</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Getting children off the sofa, away from the TV and outside can be a challenging task for any parent, particularly in the age of increasingly sedentary and screen-focused lives. </p>
<p>To stay healthy, it is currently recommended that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. But this has been in decline in recent years. And now only 21% of boys and 16% of girls in England are meeting current recommendations.</p>
<p>This lack of activity has major implications for the health of children, including an <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/start-active-stay-active-a-report-on-physical-activity-from-the-four-home-countries-chief-medical-officers">increased risk of obesity and diabetes</a>. Research has also shown that this can impact <a href="http://www.acsm.org/docs/default-source/brochures/physical-activity-in-children-and-adolescents.pdf">children’s mental health and well-being</a>, along with their academic performance.</p>
<p>Children’s physical activity levels are of course influenced by a whole array of factors, including friends and family, schools and teachers, and the area they live in. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/163896/original/image-20170404-5725-1qrzgll.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/163896/original/image-20170404-5725-1qrzgll.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163896/original/image-20170404-5725-1qrzgll.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163896/original/image-20170404-5725-1qrzgll.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163896/original/image-20170404-5725-1qrzgll.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163896/original/image-20170404-5725-1qrzgll.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163896/original/image-20170404-5725-1qrzgll.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Free outdoor fun.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pexels.</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>To help better understand the factors that can help or hinder the physical activity levels of children today, my colleagues and I recently <a href="http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/news/0217-researcher-presents-findings-on-how-to-get-kids-moving/">conducted a study</a> to explore the barriers UK children face when it comes to being physically active. </p>
<p>As part of the <a href="http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/news/0217-researcher-presents-findings-on-how-to-get-kids-moving/">research</a>, we spoke to 133 children between the ages of seven and 11 in various schools in England and Wales. And discovered two main barriers for children when it comes to exercise: screen time and hectic family lifestyles. Two things that I’m sure many parents can relate to. </p>
<p>With this in mind, I’ve outlined below some ways you can overcome these obstacles and help get your children more active in the process.</p>
<h2>1. Change the way children use screen time</h2>
<p>Many of the children in the study reported having access to a wide range of screen options such as computers, tablets and mobile phones. And many of them talked about the addictive nature of being on screens – saying that they can often while away hours at a time. </p>
<p>One child told us how his normal weekend usually involves a high amount of screen time:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Normally, at weekends, I just wake up, watch TV. Then at nine in the morning I start playing video games, and when I have to come off, I just watch TV. </p>
<p>Then, a little while later I ask and they say “yes”, and so I go back on the video games. And then when I have to come off I normally watch a movie off Netflix, off my tablet. </p>
<p>And then straight after that I play video games. And that’s what I do. And sometimes I go to the park.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Screen time is a significant barrier for children being active, and can be addictive – but it doesn’t all have to be bad news. Setting screen time limits can help regulate children’s usage.</p>
<p>You can also encourage children to use their screens, apps and gadgets in a positive way, to help to get them moving. </p>
<p>This can include the use of pedometers or activity trackers, which can help to monitor and increase activity levels and track progress along the way. </p>
<h2>2. Be a role model</h2>
<p>Support and encouragement from family members is a really important factor in increasing children’s activity levels. </p>
<p>Our research showed that this isn’t just about being able to buy expensive equipment or driving children to after-school activities and sports clubs – it’s about setting a good example of how to live an active life. </p>
<p>This includes reinforcing the benefits of being active, and getting children into active habits from a young age. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/163894/original/image-20170404-5706-zzkbr5.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/163894/original/image-20170404-5706-zzkbr5.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163894/original/image-20170404-5706-zzkbr5.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163894/original/image-20170404-5706-zzkbr5.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163894/original/image-20170404-5706-zzkbr5.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163894/original/image-20170404-5706-zzkbr5.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/163894/original/image-20170404-5706-zzkbr5.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Family walks can be a great weekend activity.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pexels.</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Getting outdoors and in nature can be a great way to get children to see the benefits of being fit and healthy. This can include visits to green spaces, parks, playgrounds, walks and cycle tracks as part of your everyday family life. </p>
<p>Don’t let bad weather stop you either – take a raincoat and wellies and show the kids come rain or shine the outdoors is always an option.</p>
<h2>3. Make the time</h2>
<p>Modern-day family life can be pretty hectic, and it can often feel like a challenge to find the time and energy to be active. Our research revealed that many families could do with a bit of help and support to find ways to build activity into their lives. One child we spoke to told us how:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I want to be more active because me and my mum used to go for three-mile runs, but for some reason she keeps forgetting, and I keep trying to remind her but she’s always busy.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A few small changes to daily routines and a bit of forward planning can make all the difference. </p>
<p>Things like stopping off at the park on the way home from school for 15 minutes – or children walking or cycling whenever possible. Families can also find ways to be active indoors, including dancing and active video games. These might sound like small changes, but taken together they can have a big impact on children’s health and well-being.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/74272/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Leeds Beckett University received funding from Fererro (Kinder Sport) who commissioned this study. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Susan Coan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>It’s not all child’s play.Helen Ingle, Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion, Leeds Beckett UniversitySusan Coan, Research assiastant Health Promotion, Leeds Beckett UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.