Friday, December 14, 2012

Exercise Programs for Kids Seem to Have Little Impact: Study

Formal physical exercise programs for children have only a small impact on overall activity and thus on weight loss, British researchers report.

Their study raises questions about the best ways to help children attain or maintain a healthy weight.

"Physical activity interventions are not increasing physical activity sufficiently to impact on the body mass or body fat of children," said lead researcher Brad Metcalf, of the department of endocrinology and metabolism at Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in Plymouth, England.

"It is in everyone's interest to find something that works effectively," he added.

But other experts said instead of dismissing organized interventions as ineffective, policymakers should conclude that still more is needed to stem childhood obesity. In the United States, about 17 percent of children aged 2 years and older are obese.

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