According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition & Physical Activity conducted by researchers from the University of Bristol, even though COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, the majority of children are spending too much sedentary time indoors despite W.H.O saying that COVID-19 “no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).”
The study revealed that by the summer of 2022 only around 41% of children in the UK were meeting the nationally recommended levels for physical activity per day, and immediately after the pandemic only 37% were meeting the goal which is defined as being activity that leaves children slightly hot, sweaty, and out of breath. Unfortunately, using these findings means that 59% of children are still spending too much sedentary time inside of their homes in the wake of COVID. As such medical officers in the UK have sent out a caution that children should limit the amount of time that they are spending sitting or lying down, with the exception of when they are sleeping.
