Health benefits also depend on intensity and type of PA ( 1), with moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), providing largest benefits ( 7, 8). Active and physically fit children are less likely to be overweight or obese, have a higher bone mineral density and display healthier cardiovascular profiles ( 4- 6). Accepted for publication Mar 29, 2019.īeneficial effects of regular and sufficient physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents on general development, health and well-being have been well documented ( 1- 3). Keywords: Screen time sedentary behavior motor competence children adolescents
#FIGURE 8 FITNESS AS SEEN ON TV TV#
Accordingly, intervention strategies need to target a meaningful utilization of TV and other screen-based activities in addition to the promotion of PA in order to ensure sufficient physical fitness in youth. Youth exceeding current TV time recommendations had a 60% higher risk of having poor or very poor fitness compared to those with a TV time <2 hours/day.Ĭonclusions: High TV time is associated with poor physical fitness in youth. High TV consumption was associated with significantly lower physical fitness and these results remained after adjusting for body weight. TV time increased significantly with age. Results: Participants were 9.8☒.3 years of age and almost half of them (48.5%) reported a TV time >2 hours/d. Information on daily TV time and participation in club sports was obtained via standardized questionnaires. Physical fitness was assessed with the German Motor test (DMT6-18), which evaluates cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, power, strength endurance, agility, speed and flexibility. Body weight and height were measured according to standard procedures and BMI percentiles were determined based on German reference values. Methods: A total of 3,293 (55.1% male) youth between 6 and 14 years of age were randomly selected from 29 Austrian schools.
Limited information, however, is available on the independent association between TV time and physical fitness in children and adolescents. Background: Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors have been associated with various health outcomes in youth, including overweight/obesity and physical fitness.