How many minutes a day do physicians recommend children be active in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

A) 30 minutes
B) 45 minutes
C) 60 minutes

 

Answer: C) 60 Minutes

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children and adolescents engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity. However, a CDC study reveals that nearly half of American children between the ages of 12 and 21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis, while about 14 percent report no physical activity.

 

The recommendations encourage youth to be active most days of the week, if not every day. Brisk walking, playing tag, jumping rope, and swimming are some examples of moderate physical activity. Walking one mile to and from school can achieve two-thirds of the recommended daily level of physical activity. Activity time can be done all at once or spread throughout the day as long as it adds up to one hour. Children and adolescents should be encouraged to find activities they enjoy and find interesting.

 

For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/index.html