Is School-Based Enchanced Physical Activity Relevant?
In an editorial accompanying the article, Oded Bar-Or, M.D., of the Children’s Exercise and Nutrition Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, writes that enhanced physical activity is a major pillar in the treatment of juvenile obesity. “To the practicing physician, who is not conversant with exercise sciences, a simple exercise prescription would be an increment of 30 minutes daily, above and beyond the activity already preformed by the patient. To free time for this added activity, the prescription should also include a 30-minute reduction in ‘screen time’ (computer, video, and, in particular, television). The detailed content of the added activity–preferably outdoors–is not important, as long as the child moves from one place to another and, especially, finds it FUN.” (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159:996-997) JAMA and Archives Journals http://www.jamamedia.
