Active Play & Health

Question 1

Recommended guidelines (5-18 year olds)

Answer 1

60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day

Time spent sedentary should be kept to a minimum

1) American Academy of Paediatrics - 1 to 2 hours of quality screen time a day
2) Tremblay et al- more than 3 hours of tv a day is associated with increased aggression and poor social behaviour

Question 2

Benefits for health (NHS)

Answer 2

• Stronger bones and muscles
• Improves balance and co-ordination; reduces the likelihood of injury
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular problems
• Reduces chances of developing type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• Better overall health- chance of living longer

Question 3

UK data

Answer 3

BBC News (2016)- slight rise in rates of obesity (only small but is significant because rates had begun to level off)

Reilly et al- Majority of children do not meet the recommended guidelines and spend large amounts of time sedentary

Question 4

When are children most active?

Answer 4

• Children become less active with age, especially girls
• Most active around lunch time
• Permissive parenting (Jago et al, 2011) and independence (Page et al, 2009)
• Green spaces are important in increasing activity and reducing weight (Bell et al, 2008) regardless of residential density
• Streets and gardens are important environments (Jones et al, 2009)
• Traffic- cars dominate and increase risk and anxiety

*Bristol.gov.uk- Playing Out scheme- Temporary Street Play Order (TSPO)