Researchers suggest 3 hours of daily exercise for young children

Researchers suggest 3 hours of daily exercise for young children


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SALT LAKE CITY — Researchers recently caught the attention of parents across the nation by recommending that children under the age of six get at least three hours of physical activity each day.

The cold, hazy snowy winter may make it harder for parents to get their kids outside and moving. But doctors say that parents need to help their kids stay active indoors. And the recommended three hours of activity may seem like a long time, but doctors say the kids don't have to do all their activity at one time.

"The idea is to get bursts of activity throughout the day," said University of Utah associate professor of pediatrics, Dr. Nicole Mihalopoulos. "The authors of this study say around 15 minutes of activity every hour they are awake."

With 15 minutes of activity every hour, young children should have a total of three hours of the recommended exercise each day. Dr. Mihalopoulos said that children will naturally move around if they aren't stuck in front of a screen. She says that too many young kids are growing up overweight and obese because they stay in front of the TV or computer.

As a result, obesity rates for preschoolers have been rising dramatically since the 1970s. Statistics currently show that 25 percent of young children are obese or overweight. Earlier exercise guidelines recommended only one hour of activity a day for young children.

KSL is partnering with Intermountain Healthcare to battle obesity and help you stay healthy during 2013.

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