October 6, 2006
A study finds that, contrary to the commonly accepted wisdom, giving young children more exercise does not stop them becoming obese.
The Glasgow University study, published in the British Medical Journal, was based on work with more than 500 four-year-olds. To nearly everyone's surprise, the results counter the assumption that children could shed extra pounds if they put down their joysticks and headed for the ball field.
Researchers recruited 545 children in their last year at 36 nursery schools. Half the schools instituted three extra half-hour sessions of physical play and activity every week, and parents were given guidelines to help them provide more physical activity for their kids.
The other half had no extra activity or information.
All the children were regularly weighed and measured and their body mass index was calculated. There was no difference between the groups.
"We found no significant effect of the intervention on physical activity, sedentary behaviour or body mass index," wrote the researchers.
The only positive finding was that the more active children had better motor and movement skills, which may make them more confident about doing physical activity in the future.
"Successful interventions to prevent obesity in early childhood may require changes not just at nursery, school and home but in the wider environment. Changes in other behaviours, including diet, may also be necessary," the researchers wrote.
The British Heart Foundation said it accepted the findings but said the study doesn't mean it's not necessary to encourage children to run around and play.
"It's absolutely vital for young children to be active," said prevention and care director Mike Knapton. "Although this study suggests that the benefits of a small amount of extra exercise for nursery children are not visible immediately, we know it's crucial to encourage good exercise habits from an early age. Children get less active as they get older so it's vital that youngsters get regular physical activity to lay the foundations for good health as they grow up."
The number of overweight and obese children is growing worldwide, and so too are their health problems, experts say.
Overweight children face a variety of issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high insulin levels. These can follow them into adulthood, leading to heart disease and diabetes.
The World Health Organization estimates at least 20 million children under the age of 5 are overweight, and more than 1.6 billion adults.
