In December 2007, SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) announced newly adopted physical activity guidelines for children and young people (ages 5-18). Most notably, the guidelines recommend that throughout each day, children and young people need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity for improved physical and mental health.
New Zealand is one of the first five nations in the world to officially adopt physical activity guidelines for children and young people, affirming its role as an international leader in promoting and supporting the health and well-being of Kiwi children and teenagers.
SPARC, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, in consultation with the Ministry of Youth Development, developed the guidelines in response to mounting international evidence. The evidence has consistently shown the need to develop specific physical activity guidelines for children and young people in order to gain health benefits, as well as providing direction about what the minimum levels of physical activity should be.
“The evidence on this topic is relatively new, but overwhelming,” said Deb Hurdle, SPARC’s Push Play Manager. “Increased physical activity levels in children and young people lead to improved physical and mental health. Put simply, children and young people who are active are healthier.”
The guidelines, which define moderate activity as the equivalent of a brisk walk, and vigorous activity as one that causes people to ‘huff and puff’, will assist in the design and evaluation of health and lifestyle programmes from a variety of agencies, including SPARC, that target the need for physical activity in children and young people in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Physical Activity Guidelines for children and young people (5 - 18 year olds):
“New Zealand children and young people should:
throughout each day, do 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity;
be active in as many ways as possible; for example, through play, cultural activities, dance, sport and recreation, jobs, and going from place to place;
be active with friends and whanau, at home, school, and in your community; and
spend less than 2-hours a day (out of school time) in front of television, computers and game consoles.”
Most Kiwis know that it’s important for adults to push play for at least 30 minutes a day. For children and young people aged 5 to 18 years old, the aim is to be active for 60 minutes each day.
The aim is to complete moderate to vigorous exercise – that means an increased heart rate and some huffing and puffing. The 60 minutes can be completed all at once or in ‘chunks’ throughout the day. This can include:
playing games
walking, running or riding a bike to get from place to place
playing sport or taking part in recreation activities
participating in cultural activities like kapa haka
jobs
dance.
Getting active is a great way to be social – spending time with family and friends, exploring the local community and being active during break times at school.
As well as being active every day, it’s also important for young people to limit the amount of time they spend in front of TV, computers and playing electronic games to two hours a day (out of school time).
New Zealand is one of the first five nations in the world to officially adopt physical activity guidelines for children and young people, affirming its role as an international leader in promoting and supporting the health and well-being of Kiwi children and teenagers.
SPARC, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, in consultation with the Ministry of Youth Development, developed the guidelines in response to mounting international evidence. The evidence has consistently shown the need to develop specific physical activity guidelines for children and young people in order to gain health benefits, as well as providing direction about what the minimum levels of physical activity should be.
“The evidence on this topic is relatively new, but overwhelming,” said Deb Hurdle, SPARC’s Push Play Manager. “Increased physical activity levels in children and young people lead to improved physical and mental health. Put simply, children and young people who are active are healthier.”
The guidelines, which define moderate activity as the equivalent of a brisk walk, and vigorous activity as one that causes people to ‘huff and puff’, will assist in the design and evaluation of health and lifestyle programmes from a variety of agencies, including SPARC, that target the need for physical activity in children and young people in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Physical Activity Guidelines for children and young people (5 - 18 year olds):
“New Zealand children and young people should:
throughout each day, do 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity;
be active in as many ways as possible; for example, through play, cultural activities, dance, sport and recreation, jobs, and going from place to place;
be active with friends and whanau, at home, school, and in your community; and
spend less than 2-hours a day (out of school time) in front of television, computers and game consoles.”
Most Kiwis know that it’s important for adults to push play for at least 30 minutes a day. For children and young people aged 5 to 18 years old, the aim is to be active for 60 minutes each day.
The aim is to complete moderate to vigorous exercise – that means an increased heart rate and some huffing and puffing. The 60 minutes can be completed all at once or in ‘chunks’ throughout the day. This can include:
playing games
walking, running or riding a bike to get from place to place
playing sport or taking part in recreation activities
participating in cultural activities like kapa haka
jobs
dance.
Getting active is a great way to be social – spending time with family and friends, exploring the local community and being active during break times at school.
As well as being active every day, it’s also important for young people to limit the amount of time they spend in front of TV, computers and playing electronic games to two hours a day (out of school time).
