HHS HealthBeat (January 31, 2011)

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

When a kid practices softball, say – or soccer – that’s healthful physical activity, right?

Maybe not. Researchers found most kids didn’t get the one hour of moderate to vigorous activity they need every day.

Jim Sallis of San Diego State University looked over data on 29 teams with kids ages 7 to 14.

``They spent on average 45 minutes being physically active. So our concern is, when are they going to get the other 15 minutes?” (9 seconds)

Also, what about non-practice days? Sallis thinks parents and coaches need to help kids get the activity they need for health – and their sport.

The study in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011