Obesity reduced in kids who walk to school
31 March 2010
Walking to school is associated with significantly reduced levels of overweight and obesity, Australian research has confirmed (Health Prom J Aus 2010; 21: 57-63).
A survey of 1362 NSW children aged 10 to 13 years has found those who walked to school daily were 80 per cent less likely to be obese.
One-third of those children classified as obese or overweight were driven to school daily.
Children whose TV or computer game screen time was more than 2 hours per day were also more than 3 times more likely to be obese than those who had less than an hour per day of screen time.
Around 22 per cent of the children were overweight or obese according to parental estimates, which probably underestimated the total, the authors said.
Last Reviewed: 31 March 2010
- 1. Wen LM, Merom D, Rissel C, Simpson JM. Weight status, modes of travel to school and screen time: a cross-sectional survey of children aged 10-13 years in Sydney. Health Prom J Aus 2010; 21: 57-63
Sponsored links
Advertisement
Related Articles
Childhood obesity
Related Tools
Child Energy Requirements Calculator 
