Exercising outdoors 'helps kids stay lean as they age'
31/07/2009 According to new research, being active at age five helps children stay lean, even if they do not stay as active later in their teens.
A new University of Iowa study shows that the protective effect of exercise in their early years can override what happens when children get older.
Lead author Kathleen Janz, professor of health and sport studies in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said: "The implication is that even five-year-olds should be encouraged to be as active as possible because it pays off as they grow older."
Researchers tested the body fat and activity level of 333 kids at ages five, eight and 11 using a special scanner over five days which accurately measures bone, fat and muscle tissue,
The study indicated kids who are active at age five end up with less fat at ages eight and 11, even when controlling for their accumulated level of activity. The average five-year-old in the study got 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. For every ten minutes over and above that, kids had one-third of a pound less fat tissue at ages eight and 11.
Janz said further investigation is needed to learn what happens to the active kids' bodies that keeps them in better shape down the road.
According to Bupa, children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of ten boys and six out of ten girls don't reach this target.
A new University of Iowa study shows that the protective effect of exercise in their early years can override what happens when children get older.
Lead author Kathleen Janz, professor of health and sport studies in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said: "The implication is that even five-year-olds should be encouraged to be as active as possible because it pays off as they grow older."
Researchers tested the body fat and activity level of 333 kids at ages five, eight and 11 using a special scanner over five days which accurately measures bone, fat and muscle tissue,
The study indicated kids who are active at age five end up with less fat at ages eight and 11, even when controlling for their accumulated level of activity. The average five-year-old in the study got 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. For every ten minutes over and above that, kids had one-third of a pound less fat tissue at ages eight and 11.
Janz said further investigation is needed to learn what happens to the active kids' bodies that keeps them in better shape down the road.
According to Bupa, children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of ten boys and six out of ten girls don't reach this target.
