Pediatricians Should Monitor Children's Physical Activity: AAP

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As part of the fight against obesity, children's doctors should monitor how much physical activity children -- and their parents -- get each day, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says in a new policy statement published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

At regular office visits, pediatricians should ask children and their parents how active they are and should document how much time children spend each day on sedentary activities, the statement says.

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The AAP says the amount of activity parents get is important because they need to set good examples for their children, the Associated Press reported.

Parents and children should be urged to follow AAP guidelines that recommend no TV for children under age 2, and no more than two hours per day of TV, video games, and similar pursuits.

Among the other recommendations:

• All schools should reinstate mandatory physical education classes for kindergarten through high school. These classes should be open to all children, including the disabled.
• Obese and overweight children should be encouraged to take part in fitness activities such as strength training and water-based sports. These may be easier for them than jogging and other weight-bearing activities.
• Parents need to increase their levels of activity to act as good role models for their children. Activity should be part of the family lifestyle.
• Preschoolers should take part in unorganized outdoor activities and older children and adolescents should be physically active for at least an hour a day.

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