Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, lifestyles have changed significantly.
It also affected the way children played and interacted. Parks were closed and sports activities were restricted on several levels.
Many children have found themselves isolated at home to avoid contracting and spreading the virus.
Although the situation has eased and the virus is better controlled, concerns remain about the impact it has caused.
A recent study published in the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance shows that children and adolescents are becoming less physically active.
It states that only one-third of the world’s children and adolescents are sufficiently physically active. Experts advise that children ages 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day.
The report found that the coronavirus pandemic has made things worse. But the good news is that children in Botswana, Ethiopia, South Africa and Zimbabwe were slightly more active than children in other regions.
Research suggests that this may be due to some children walking long distances to school. Unfortunately, even countries with improved performance need to increase the statistics of children meeting the required daily physical activity recommendations.
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Benefits of physical activity for children
Physical activity has many benefits for children and is very important for their development.
Benefits highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:
– Improve cardiopulmonary function
– Build strong bones and muscles.
– control weight
– Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
– Reduce your risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. and obesity.
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