Environment 'influences how much outdoor exercise children get'
21/04/2010 The environment children are brought up in may override their natural urge to get regular outdoor exercise, according to a new study from Cancer Research.
Over the course of the research, which was conducted on 100 pairs of twins, the team found that any variation on how much the youngsters enjoyed exercise was related to differences in their genes.
However, the amount of time they actually spent exercising was influenced by their family, friends and environment.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Jane Wardle, from Cancer Research UK's Health Behaviour Research Centre based at University College London, said the study highlighted how important it is for parents to encourage their kids to exercise.
"Some children may inherit versions of different genes that make them naturally more likely to enjoy sports and exercise. But their environment is the most powerful factor in determining how active they actually are," she added.
Recent research conducted at the Universities of Leeds and Aberdeen found that regular exercise can help kids concentrate better in school.
Over the course of the research, which was conducted on 100 pairs of twins, the team found that any variation on how much the youngsters enjoyed exercise was related to differences in their genes.
However, the amount of time they actually spent exercising was influenced by their family, friends and environment.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Jane Wardle, from Cancer Research UK's Health Behaviour Research Centre based at University College London, said the study highlighted how important it is for parents to encourage their kids to exercise.
"Some children may inherit versions of different genes that make them naturally more likely to enjoy sports and exercise. But their environment is the most powerful factor in determining how active they actually are," she added.
Recent research conducted at the Universities of Leeds and Aberdeen found that regular exercise can help kids concentrate better in school.
