1 in 5 youths meet daily physical activity guidelines
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Key takeaways:
- The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for ages 6 to 17 years.
- Between 26% and 42% of children aged 6 to 11 years and 15% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years met those guidelines.
Only one in five youth aged 6 to 17 years is meeting national physical activity recommendations, and that number has not increased in the last decade, according to the Physical Activity Alliance’s 2024 United States Report Card.
“Over the last decade, we have seen a decrease in children participating in organized sports and an increase in screen time,” Katherine E. Spring, PhD, postdoctoral researcher and Amanda E. Staiano, PhD, associate professor in the pediatric obesity and health behavior laboratory at Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, said in a joint email. “At the same time, we have seen relatively no changes in active transportation, the built environment, or physical education in schools. These factors, in combination with the impact of COVID-19, have led to a continual decrease in physical activity.”
The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity for children and adolescents, including aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activities.
The researchers used data from the National Survey of Children’s Health and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, as well as other national surveys, to evaluate children’s physical activity levels in the U.S. They assigned grades based on the proportion of youth who were meeting guidelines, which ranged from A (80% or more) to F (less than 20%).
The U.S.’s overall grade was a D–, according to the researchers. An estimated 20% to 28% of youth are meeting national guidelines. Between 26% to 42% of children aged 6 to 11 years meet these guidelines, and only 15% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 are getting enough physical activity. Youth physical activity has not increased since the Physical Activity Association began posting its biannual report card in 2014.
“This highlights the need for programs and policies to combat the various factors that impact a child’s physical activity and healthy development,” Spring and Staiano told Healio.
According to the report, some factors that led to the low grade were a lack of active transportation — only 10% of children walk or bike to school — and low participation in high school physical education classes — 50% of high school students attend at least one class per week. Additionally, fewer children are participating in organized sports than 5 years ago (51% vs. 58%).
Screen time is significantly impacting children’s physical activity, Spring and Staiano said. They found that 80% of youth aged 6 to 17 years spend more than 2 hours per day interacting with screens.
The researchers also evaluated societal aspects that affect children’s physical activity. For example, 76% of children and adolescents live in a neighborhood with sidewalks, walking paths and parks or playgrounds. They found that 66% live in what they determined to be a safe neighborhood. They also estimated that 74% of early care and education facilities offer two or more opportunities for physical activity per day.
Spring and Staiano said it is important for pediatricians to talk to their patients and families regularly about physical activity. In 2020, the AAP advised pediatricians to write a “prescription for play,” and encourage physical activity during well-visits for infants younger than 2 years old.
“Using motivational interviewing techniques, discuss activities they enjoy doing and any barriers they might have,” they said. “Work in partnership with parents and patients to set goals to increase physical activity and decrease screen time.”
References:
- CDC. Child activity: An overview. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/children.html. Updated Jan. 8, 2024. Accessed Nov. 4, 2024.
- Physical Activity Alliance. The 2024 United States report card on physical activity for children and youth. https://paamovewithus.org/us-report-card-on-physical-activity-for-children-and-youth/. Published Oct. 8, 2024. Accessed Nov. 4, 2024.
- Physical Activity Alliance. The 2024 United States report card on physical activity for children and youth executive summary. https://paamovewithus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-US-Report-Card-Executive-Summary_FINAL.pdf. Published Oct. 8, 2024. Accessed Nov. 4, 2024.
- New US report card on physical activity for children and youth reveals continued low levels of physical activity. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1061206. Published Oct. 14, 2024. Accessed Nov. 4, 2024.
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Physical Activity Alliance. The 2024 United States report card on physical activity for children and youth. https://paamovewithus.org/us-report-card-on-physical-activity-for-children-and-youth/. Published Oct. 8, 2024. Accessed Nov. 4, 2024.
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