Young children also have the problem of sitting for too long! Active babies should be “moved” and set a limit on how long they can sit!

When it comes to a "sedentary" lifestyle, people may naturally think that this is only a reminder for adults. For young children who are considered active, their "sitting" phenomenon is often overlooked.

But in fact, young children also have the problem of sitting for a long time.

Young children actually spend more time sitting than we think.

According to an international study on childhood obesity, lifestyle and environment, children around the world spend an average of 8.6 hours sitting every day.

Young children’s sedentary behaviors can generally be divided into two categories: screen-related behaviors (such as watching TV, playing video games, and using the computer); and sedentary non-screen behaviors (such as sitting at school or in the car).

With current trends in technology use and the increase in child-centered programming, which has greatly increased children's television viewing, the emergence of videos, tablets and online games are rapidly replacing the time children would otherwise spend on physical activity, leading to a sharp increase in sedentary time for young children.

Children spend only a third of their total sedentary time on these screens, with the rest being spent on activities such as reading, travelling in cars or eating.

Evidence shows that children who spend the most time sitting down every day have the highest rates of overweight and obesity, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or family income. The reason has to do with the ubiquitous advertising, some of which targets children on television, which exposes them to highly processed convenience foods that are high in calories, high in fat and sugar, and contain few or no micronutrients.

Early childhood is critical for children because this period is not only a period of rapid growth and cognitive development for children, but also a critical period for children to adapt, change and develop behavioral habits.

In 2019, WHO released recommendations on the daily limits or maximum duration (24 hours) of physical activity, sleep, and daily sedentary activities for children under five years of age.

Infants (under one year old) should:

The more activity a day, the better, especially through interactive floor play. For babies who are not yet mobile, do tummy time for at least 30 minutes a day (cumulatively; the child must be awake). Confined in a stroller, car seat, high chair, or strapped to a caregiver for no more than 1 hour at a time. Television is not recommended.

Babies aged 0 to 3 months old should get 14 to 17 hours of good sleep every day, and babies aged 4 to 11 months old should get 12 to 16 hours of good sleep, including naps.

Children aged 1-2 years should:

Spend at least 180 minutes a day doing moderate intensity physical activity of any intensity, the more the better. No more than 1 hour at a time restrained in a stroller, car seat, high chair or strapped to a caregiver or sitting for long periods of time. For 1-year-olds, their sedentary time should be zero (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games).

For a two-year-old child, the sedentary time should not exceed 1 hour, the less the better. Encourage caregivers to read or tell stories to children when they are sedentary. Ensure 11-14 hours of high-quality sleep every day.

Children aged 3-4 years should:

Spend at least 180 minutes a day doing physical activities of varying intensities, including more than 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activities, spread throughout the day. The more the better. Be restrained in a stroller, safety seat, dining chair, or strapped to a caregiver or sit for long periods of time for no more than 1 hour at a time. Sedentary time should not exceed 1 hour. The less the better.

Caregivers are encouraged to read or tell stories to their children when they are sedentary. Get 10-13 hours of quality sleep.

Following the recommendations in these guidelines when raising young children can promote the development of children's motor, cognitive, cardiometabolic health, bone health, and reduce the risk of injury.

During the day, doing more exercise, sitting less and watching TV, and getting more sleep, these three combined will bring the greatest benefits to children. I hope that through this popular science article, everyone can pay attention to children's sedentary behavior and help them gradually develop good living habits.