Australian children are lazier than ever before, a new report published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health says.
Two years on from the first Active Healthy Kids Australia Physical Activity Report Card, there has been little to no change in Australian children’s lifestyles.
Australia is ranked 21st of 38 countries with an overall score of D-.
Screen time is continuing to play a major part in the lives of young children which is leading to the high obesity rate in adolescents.
The report found Australian children are “insufficiently active” and spend more than the recommended two hours a day using technology. Children aged 5 to 17-years-old should be getting at least 60 minutes of exercise daily.
However, Australian children are not “physically literate” and don’t understand why leading a healthy lifestyle is paramount for their health and quality of life.
Alice Pryor, a spokeswoman from Parents Voice, an online resource for parents where they can find out about how to improve their child’s physical lifestyle, said it’s important for children to lead healthy lifestyles.
Most crucially, sport “provides children with opportunities to socialise, to make new friends, and improve their self-esteem and confidence,” Ms Pryor told The Newsroom.
Health problems are also a concern for those who don’t lead an active lifestyle.
“Too much sedentary behaviour can contribute to weight gain and detract from the overall health and wellbeing of children,” Ms Pryor said.
It’s also important for parents to do their part and encourage their children to be active instead of constantly watching TV or being on the computer.
Activities such as playing “outside on bikes, running around, climbing trees and playing with the dog” are great ways to get children interested in being outside and away from technology, Ms Pryor added.
Children are much more active in countries such as New Zealand, Slovenia, Mexico and Botswana where they meet the standards of the report card.
China, Qatar, and Scotland received an F because they failed to meet the exercise requirements of the report card and didn’t meet the standards of living a healthy lifestyle. – Megan Simmonds
Photo by Megan Simmonds