Le Lézard
Classified in: Sports and recreation
Subject: SVY

Too much screen time prevents young tots from meeting healthy movement guidelines


New guidelines outline the right amounts of moving, sleeping and sitting children aged four and under need for healthy growth and development

TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadian kids aged four and under are spending too much time in front of screens. For example, although it's recommended that preschoolers have no more than one hour of sedentary screen time per day, 76 per cent of them do.  This current reality demonstrates that today's release of the new evidence-based Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years ? one of the world's first for this age group - couldn't come at a better time as they help inform how much moving, sleeping and sitting children aged four and under need for healthy growth and development.

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years combine physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines into one, and include sleep, showing the interrelationship between all three behaviours. These Guidelines were developed by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group (HALO) at the CHEO Research Institute, the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, the Public Health Agency of Canada, ParticipACTION and a group of leading researchers from Canada and around the world, with input from over 600 national and international stakeholders.

"All types of movement matter, and a balance of moving, sleeping and sitting is required for optimal health," says Dr. Mark Tremblay, Director of HALO. "Even if a child is getting sufficient physical activity in a day, the health benefits can be reduced by too little sleep, or too much sedentary behaviour - especially if that time is spent in front of screens. Following these guidelines through the early years is associated with healthy growth, better learning and thinking, improved motor development, higher fitness level, increased quality of life and reduced injuries."

Only 13 per cent of preschoolers meet the new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, and the time being spent in front of screens is keeping this percentage unacceptably low. Although not all sedentary time is harmful?like reading or storytelling with a caregiver?excessive screen time before age five is, as it is linked with language delays, reduced attention and lower school readiness.

"Parents and caregivers must help young children move, sleep and sit the right amounts," says Elio Antunes, President and CEO of ParticipACTION. "If kids are too tired to get enough physical activity during the day, and not active enough to be tired at night, it can become a vicious cycle. We need to limit screen time and encourage children to participate in a range of enjoyable and safe play-based and organized physical activities in a variety of spaces, places and seasons, in all types of weather."

According to the new guidelines, a healthy 24 hours includes:

To download a copy of the complete Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years please visit www.csep.ca/guidelines and participACTION.com.

"For young children to be their healthiest, they need the right amount of sleep and physical activity during their day," said the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health. "Healthy habits in childhood lead to good health throughout life. These new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years are an important tool to help parents and healthcare professionals support healthy growth and development for Canadian children."

Here are some tips to help parents and caregivers get the most out of the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines:

"Restoring physical activity as the norm rather than the exception supports an integrated approach to healthy living and chronic disease prevention," says Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam. "Our work with CSEP, ParticipACTION and other partners, including the development of these Guidelines, continues to make Canada a leader in healthy living."

About the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is the resource for translating advances in exercise science research into the promotion of fitness, performance, and health outcomes for Canadians. CSEP set the highest standard for qualified exercise professionals through evidence-based practice and certification. CSEP is the GOLD STANDARD of health and fitness professionals dedicated to getting Canadians active safely by providing the highest quality customized and specialized physical activity and fitness programs, guidance and advice based on extensive training and evidence-based research. For more information, please visit www.csep.ca.

About ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is a national non-profit organization that helps Canadians sit less and move more. Originally established in 1971, ParticipACTION works with its partners, which include sport, physical activity, recreation organizations, government and corporate sponsors, to make physical activity a vital part of everyday life. ParticipACTION is generously supported by the Government of Canada. For more information, please visit www.participACTION.com.

SOURCE ParticipACTION


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