Children and Adolescents (aged 5-17 years)
For children and adolescents of this age group, physical activity can be undertaken as part of recreation and leisure (play, games, sports or planned exercise), physical education, transportation (walking and cycling) or household chores, in the context of educational, home, and community settings.
- For all healthy children and adolescents aged 5-17 years, WHO recommends that:
- They should do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, mostly aerobic, across the week.
- Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone, should be incorporated at least 3 days a week, as these provide additional health benefits.
- They should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary, particularly the amount of recreational screen time (e.g. watching TV and playing video games).
Doing some physical activity is better than doing none, and more is better.
Even if not meeting the recommendations, doing some physical activity will benefit health.
Start by doing small amounts of physical activity and gradually increase the frequency, intensity and duration over time.
Reference
WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020.