On Wednesday, 24 April, the World health Organisation (WHO) published a report with guidelines for children under five to limit their screen time to one hour and increase play, while children under one were advised to avoid any screen time at all.
Other suggestions included less sedentary behaviour, less sitting and more active behaviour.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, WHO Director-General said in a press release that, “Achieving health for all means doing what is best for health right from the beginning of people’s lives.”
“Early childhood is a period of rapid development and a time when family lifestyle patterns can be adapted to boost health gains.”Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu
The press release underlines the importance of adhering to these guidelines, warning that more than 5 million deaths across the world, across all age groups are resultant from poor physical activity.
More Sleep, More Interaction With Care-Givers: WHO Guidelines
Dr Fiona Bull, WHO’s program manager for surveillance and population-based prevention of noncommunicable diseases added that, “Improving physical activity, reducing sedentary time and ensuring quality sleep in young children will improve their physical, mental health and well being, and help prevent childhood obesity and associated diseases later in life .”
The guidelines specifically listed out that from the ages of 1+, children should not be sedentary and sitting for more than one hour at a time. Right from the early infant hood, they should be engaged in physical activity, floor play and interactions with caregivers.
Contested Guidelines
Screen time for children, especially infants, has been the subject of much study and debate.
The Guardian reported that UK medical exerts such as The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health raised issue with the universal guidelines, stressing that each family and situation is unique. They added that the guidelines would discourage families that cannot afford the space to play.
These could also be limiting to busy parents, especially in a world where technology is omnipresent and young children are getting on board early on.
“Without the right support in place, striving for the perfect could become the enemy of the good.”Dr Max Davie, officer for health improvement, The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health told The Guardian
(With inputs from World health Organisation and The Guardian)
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