Kids who were averaging three hours of moderate to vigorous activity when they were 9 barely manage to get more than a half-hour of daily exercise by the time they reach 15, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “Kids’ activity is decreasing dramatically between 9 and 15,” said study author Dr. Philip Nader, of UC San Diego, who points to several factors behind the shift.
- Loss of phys ed and recess in schools.
- Fewer open spaces and parks
- Changes in the way kids live
“Kids used to just run around and ride their bikes everywhere, and kids used to walk to school. Now, parents drive them,” Nader noted.
