Children who can let go, organize new games and expeditions without parental supervision are more active than those who play under the worried gaze of their mother or father, according to the results of a new Canadian scientific study.
Researchers at Ryerson University in Toronto (Canada) conducted a survey of 1000 parents and caregivers of children in 16 schools. To measure the physical activity of the young volunteers, the researchers put them on an accelerometer, measuring their level of physical activity, for seven days.
The results of the study show that 35% of parents refuse to have their children play outside without supervision and only 16% of them let their offspring go about their activities freely.
But the study also reveals that when children feel free, they move and let off steam more than when they feel observed.
“The children who were able at least occasionally to go out without supervision were between 14 to 19% more physically active than the children who were always supervised by an adult” explains Raktim, professor at the school of urban and regional planning of the Ryerson University of Toronto and study author.
“Hypothetically speaking, when children feel free with friends, it creates more opportunities for them to walk further or to go to steeper places. They participate in more spontaneous games, which helps to increase the time and intensity of their physical activity», Says Professor Raktim Mitra.
So to increase your children’s physical activity, give them more freedom. Knowing that the World Health Organization recommends practicing at least 60 minutes of activity per day for children from 5 to 17 years old and at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week for adults.
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