Children's sedentary lifestyle: a forerunner of unhealthy adulthood.

• Author: Ignico, Arlene

The 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health provides considerable evidence that regular physical activity dramatically can improve health and quality of life. Among the findings are that physical activity reduces the risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and premature death. In addition, it lessens feelings of anxiety and depression; helps control body weight; maintains healthy bones, muscles, and joints; and promotes psychological well-being. There also is evidence that regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer.

In spite of these widely recognized benefits, 75% of American adolescents and young adults do not engage in daily light to moderate activity. Of particular concern is that participation in all types of physical activity declines sharply as children get older, particularly for females. Moreover, several studies investigating health-related fitness levels of elementary school pupils have suggested that American youngsters are consistently below desirable fitness standards. Although recent evidence suggests that the "youth fitness crisis" may be exaggerated, it is clear that the fitness levels of young children have declined over the past 20 years. More specifically, research suggests that cardiovascular fitness has decreased and percentage of body fat has increased over the past two decades.

At least 25% of elementary school pupils are above desirable weight standards, and that figure is rising steadily. This finding may not be surprising in light of the fact that kids aged six-11 watch television about 25 hours per week. Of particular concern is the fact that several researchers have demonstrated that unfit and overweight youngsters show early signs of coronary heart disease, high cholesterol levels, and elevated blood pressure. In fact, 40% of children aged five-eight have at least one heart disease risk factor.

If there is a primary target for intervention, it is during the early school years. The development of positive attitudes toward physical activity and fitness during childhood may have a positive impact on the level of physical activity during adult life. There is evidence that activities learned at a young age contribute to healthy lifestyles. For these reasons, several professional organizations have directed their attention toward early childhood intervention.

Two primary objectives identified in the U.S. Public Health Service's 1992 program...