Limiting kids' screen time helps them get more active

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-05-24 01:00

International

What does this mean?

Jump to: MultimediaAttachmentsExpert Reaction

Danish and UK scientists say reducing kids' recreational screen time resulted in a substantial increase in their physical activity - an average of almost 45 mins per day. The size of the effect was so large, they say, it suggests high screen use among children should be considered a public health concern. The team looked at 89 families, 45 of whom were asked to limit their kids' screen use to less than three hours per week for a period of two weeks. The other families were asked to carry on as normal. The kids whose screen time was limited exercised for an average of 44.8 mins extra per day, compared with before the intervention. In contrast, in the group who did not limit their kids' screen time, the children only exercised for an extra one minute per day, compared with before the intervention. The team also looked at sleep quality for the two groups, but found no differences.