Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Novel strategies to promote children's physical activities and reduce sedentary behavior

journal contribution
posted on 2010-11-01, 00:00 authored by Jo SalmonJo Salmon
Physical activity and sedentary behavior (performed primarily while sitting) play a key role in the current and future health of young people. Most health evidence and intervention strategies targeting reductions in children’s sedentary behavior have focused on television viewing, with mixed evidence as to the effectiveness of these strategies and of the importance of television viewing for children’s health. Evidence from studies with adults using objective measures of sedentary behavior suggests that accumulated sedentary time is independently associated with metabolic health; importantly, emerging evidence suggests that the manner in which the sedentary behavior is accrued (ie, frequency of interruptions to time spent sedentary) may also have independent effects on health. Potential novel intervention approaches to reduce children’s sedentary time include activity breaks during class time at school, delivery of active lessons and homework, and changes to the classroom environment. Further evidence of the importance of sedentary time (both total accumulation and frequency of interruptions) on children’s health is required. Future studies should assess the effectiveness of interventions targeting organizational and pedagogical changes in schools as well as using homework to engage with families in more active ways.

History

Journal

Journal of physical activity & health

Volume

7

Issue

Supplement

Pagination

299 - 306

Publisher

Human Kinetics

Location

Champaign, Ill.

ISSN

1543-3080

eISSN

1543-5474

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2010, Human Kinetics, Inc.