Baby need Activities to Build Health

Children aged less than 6 years old are advised to do a physical activity with a total of at least 3 hours every day to prevent obesity. Recommendations were presented by experts from the three countries.

In 2010, the Australian Department of Health advised for toddlers and preschoolers to actively move at least 3 hours per day, divided into various activities throughout the day.

Institute of Medicine, USA, in 2011 also recommended the importance of physical activity is mild, moderate, and hard, for 15 minutes in a period of an hour or equal to 3 hours each day. Recommendations are aimed at children who are awake 12 hours a day. Not much different, health agencies in Britain also gave similar recommendations.

"All three of these guides have a similar recommendation that preschool children should be active for a total time of 3 hours per day," wrote Russell Pate and Jennifer O'Neil, both from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.

Rates of obesity in children aged 2-5 years increased dramatically since the 1970's. In the U.S. alone, 26.7 percent of children are classified as obese age.

Indeed, no study can prove exactly how much physical activity is needed to prevent child obesity. However, 3 hours per day is considered sufficient for fitness and health.

In 2008, the U.S. government officially recommends physical activity for a total time of 60 minutes a day for children aged 6-17 years and 30 minutes per day for adults.

The impact of obesity on children's health has long been known, ranging from an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, hormone disruption, decreased ability to learn.