The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance, a nonprofit committed to ensuring the long-term success of the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP), released its 2016 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, which showed that more than three-quarters of children in the U.S. are currently not meeting physical activity recommendations.
The report shows only 21.6 percent of children ages 6-19 meet U.S. physical activity guidelines. Furthermore, nearly 63 percent of children are getting more than the two hours of screen time per day, which exceeds current recommended guidelines. Less than 13 percent of children walk or ride their bike to school, habits that have been associated with lower odds of obesity among children.
“Improving the results of the nation’s Report Card on physical activity for children and youth will require a multi-pronged, multi-sectoral approach to create a culture that supports and encourages positive movement experiences for children,” said Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., chief science officer, American Council on Exercise (ACE). “ACE is proud to sponsor the Report Card and is committed to promoting the three core values of physical literacy for youth: ability, confidence and a desire to be physically active for life.”
The World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommend that children and youth engage in a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, including vigorous-intensity activity at least three days per week.
