How Much Exercise is Enough?

Posted by Chris Christian Mar 19, 2007

I recently read an article form ALSPAC (The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) conducted to help ascertain precisely how pivotal physical activity was in the battle against childhood obesity. Seems a report from PloS Medicine concluded that brief bouts of moderate exercise could have dramatic long-term results.

Using the latest cutting-edge techniques, activity monitors, that monitors and records every move the child made and measured body fat with x-rays that differentiates between body fat and all other body tissues, researchers found that as little as 15 minutes a day of exercise could reduce chances of being obese by 50%. What makes this information so significant is both the number of children studied (5,500 12 years olds) and the high-tech equipment used in the study.

Professor Chris Riddoch from Bath University together with Children of the 90s’ co-director Professor Andy Ness and his team at Bristol led the research. Professor Riddoch explained the significance of their results: "This study provides some of the first robust evidence on the link between physical activity and obesity in children. "We know that diet is important, but what this research tells us is that we mustn't forget about activity. It's been really surprising to us how even small amounts of exercise appear to have dramatic results."

Professor Ness added: "The association between physical activity and obesity we observed was strong. These associations suggest that modest increases in physical activity could lead to important reductions in childhood obesity." He also stressed that doing 15 minutes of moderate exercise a day should be regarded as a starting point, but one most people would find able to fit into their life-style.

Although there has always been a coonection between obesity and activity, the interesting point here is that you could possibly be less active than originally thought and still benefit from it.

Reference: The Answer To Childhood Obesity: 15 Minutes Of Football? –Medical News Today