The World Health Organization publishes new guidelines for kids under the age of five: less screen time, more physical activity, and maintaining sleep time
According to new guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in April 2019, kids under the age of five are advised to reduce the screen time and duration of their stay in trolley and baby seats. In addition, the recommended number of hours of sleep should be strictly observed for these ages and more time for active play with their parents should be made.
The guidelines aim to establish healthy lifestyle patterns from an early age, which will serve as the basis for a healthy lifestyle in adolescence and later as adults. Childhood is considered a period of rapid and significant development, hence the importance of establishing healthy behavior patterns during this period.
The team of experts of the World Health Organization formulated its guidelines after estimating the effects of inadequate sleep and time of sitting and watching screens, and after examining the evidence of the benefits of increased physical activity.
According to the experts, improving the level of physical activity, reducing sitting time and ensuring kids get adequate sleep will improve their physical and mental health. Those actions will contribute to the prevention of childhood obesity and the development of obesity-related diseases in later life.
The guiding principles of those guidelines are to replace the screen time with physical activity, and to maintain adequate sleep time for kids. However, high quality sedentary activities such as activities with the person caring for baby/child (reading a story, assembling puzzles, etc.) are of great importance to the child's development.
"The following are the key recommendations, by age groups:
Infants (less than 1 year) should:
- Be physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play; more is better. For those not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes in prone position (tummy time) spread throughout the day while awake.
- Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back).
- Screen time is not recommended. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
- Have 14–17h (0–3 months of age) or 12–16h (4–11 months of age) of good quality sleep, including naps.
Children 1–2 years of age should:
- Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, including moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better. Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/ strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back) or sit for extended periods of time.
- For 1-year-olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
- Have 11–14h of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular sleep and wake-up times.
Children 3–4 years of age should:
- Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate- to vigorous intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better. Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/ strollers) or sit for extended periods of time.
- Sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
- Have 10–13h of good quality sleep, which may include a nap, with regular sleep and wake-up times."
