2 research outputs found
Physical activity recommendations for early childhood: an international analysis of ten different countriesâ current national physical activity policies and practices for those under the age of 5
During the last two decades there have been growing interests on recommendations for childrenâs physical
activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the first global international recommendations for
children in 2010, focusing on children and youth aged 5-17 year olds. The recommendations were based on the
dose-response relationship between the frequency, duration, intensity, type and amount of physical activity needed
for prevention of non-communicable diseases. There remains however, at time of writing, (2019) a gap in the
recommendations, as the WHO did not offer global recommendations for those children under the age of 5 (early
years).
An international policy and practice analysis, (not previously undertaken), of ten sample countries, was completed
of current national physical activity practices. Also an international comparison of early yearsâ education settings
were examined, specifically for those under the age of 5, to investigate current curricula, as well as the
qualifications, knowledge and understanding of those supporting childrenâs learning in different cultural contexts.
The sample of ten countries (Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, United
Kingdom and United States of America) questioned whether the global daily physical activity recommendations
(WHO, 2010) are costumed and used for to the early yearsâ age group on a national level or if they need to be
adjusted.
The analysis revealed that eight countries have developed their own national recommendations for children below
the age of 5, while only two countries do not have any early yearsâ specific physical activity recommendations.
National authorities seem to be the most common executive sources behind the recommendations. The content of
physical activity for children under the age of 5, mostly included the total amount and intensity of physical activity.
The total daily amount of physical activity in these ten countries varies between 60 minutes moderate to vigorous
intensity physical activity up to 180 min total light to moderate intensity physical activity and for some countries
the daily recommendations are only from age 1 year, not between birth and 1 year, this age range remains
unsupported.
The conclusions from the analysis of national recommendations, underlined the need to see the global
recommendations be developed for the younger age group, to support all countries. It is proposed a need for
universally new recommendations to go beyond just physical activity intensity levels and to consider how young
childrenâs development can be supported in a versatile way by physically active play. Also age specific
recommendations are offered for appropriate and purposeful physical activity to support early years and school
aged childrenâs overall development. The findings also suggest educational recommendations for staff members
of early childhood education and care settings to know appropriate and age specific recommendations to ensure
they are able to support young children to reach the national and global recommendations. Research
recommendations are also proposed
Physical activity recommendations for early childhood: an international analysis of ten different countriesâ current national physical activity policies and practices for those under the age of 5
During the last two decades there have been growing interests on recommendations for childrenâs physical
activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the first global international recommendations for
children in 2010, focusing on children and youth aged 5-17 year olds. The recommendations were based on the
dose-response relationship between the frequency, duration, intensity, type and amount of physical activity needed
for prevention of non-communicable diseases. There remains however, at time of writing, (2019) a gap in the
recommendations, as the WHO did not offer global recommendations for those children under the age of 5 (early
years).
An international policy and practice analysis, (not previously undertaken), of ten sample countries, was completed
of current national physical activity practices. Also an international comparison of early yearsâ education settings
were examined, specifically for those under the age of 5, to investigate current curricula, as well as the
qualifications, knowledge and understanding of those supporting childrenâs learning in different cultural contexts.
The sample of ten countries (Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, United
Kingdom and United States of America) questioned whether the global daily physical activity recommendations
(WHO, 2010) are costumed and used for to the early yearsâ age group on a national level or if they need to be
adjusted.
The analysis revealed that eight countries have developed their own national recommendations for children below
the age of 5, while only two countries do not have any early yearsâ specific physical activity recommendations.
National authorities seem to be the most common executive sources behind the recommendations. The content of
physical activity for children under the age of 5, mostly included the total amount and intensity of physical activity.
The total daily amount of physical activity in these ten countries varies between 60 minutes moderate to vigorous
intensity physical activity up to 180 min total light to moderate intensity physical activity and for some countries
the daily recommendations are only from age 1 year, not between birth and 1 year, this age range remains
unsupported.
The conclusions from the analysis of national recommendations, underlined the need to see the global
recommendations be developed for the younger age group, to support all countries. It is proposed a need for
universally new recommendations to go beyond just physical activity intensity levels and to consider how young
childrenâs development can be supported in a versatile way by physically active play. Also age specific
recommendations are offered for appropriate and purposeful physical activity to support early years and school
aged childrenâs overall development. The findings also suggest educational recommendations for staff members
of early childhood education and care settings to know appropriate and age specific recommendations to ensure
they are able to support young children to reach the national and global recommendations. Research
recommendations are also proposed