Your Child Needs to Sit Less and Play More, According to the World Health Organization.
It’s not just your older kids who need to keep their bodies moving throughout the day. For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior for infants aged 1 to 2 and 3 to 4 years. And they may need to move around more than you expect.
According to WHO estimates, more than 23% of adults and 80% of adolescents are not physically active enough. This activity needs to be started in infancy in order to form habits that will persist throughout childhood and adulthood.
Infants (up to 1 year old)
- You should spend at least 30 minutes a day lying down (that is, “tummy time”), and this can be done throughout the day. Plus, the more interactive floor play you can get, the better.
- Should not be held for more than 1 hour at a time. This includes strollers, high chairs and baby carriers.
Age 1-2
- You should devote at least 180 minutes a day to various physical activities. The sessions themselves can be of any intensity level and extend throughout the day. And, of course, the more the better.
- Should not be held for more than 1 hour at a time. This includes strollers, high chairs and carriers.
Age 3-4
- You should devote at least 180 minutes a day to various physical activities. At least 60 of these minutes should be moderate to high. And, of course, the more the better.
- Avoid holding your baby for more than an hour at a time , such as in a stroller, or sitting for extended periods of time.
5 years and older
We already knew ( from both the WHO and the US government ) that children aged 5 and over should get at least an hour a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. We’ve got tips to help your kids do a variety of aerobic, bone-strengthening and muscle-building exercises to achieve this goal.
And since you have to devote at least 150 minutes a week yourself, you might be able to join them!