Children and adolescents are increasingly sedentary and spend a lot of time in front of their screens. This is the finding of the National Observatory of Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle. And the confinements have not helped.

59% of adolescents reduced their physical activity during the first confinement. While it is recommended to do 60 minutes of physical activity per day, 4.8% of 5-11 year olds respected this recommendation and only 0.6% of adolescents.

“We have really seen that whatever the age, physical activity has decreased in all populations and that the time spent sitting has increased, but those who have exploded are teenagers. They increased their time spent behind screens by 75%”, Explains Prof. Martine Duclos, head of the sports medicine service at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital.

Strong impact on the health of the youngest

This sedentary lifestyle has had an impact on the health of the youngest.

“When we follow children for years, we can clearly see the evolution of children. They stay in their growth corridor and this year I notice and I point out to parents, that the children have climbed the curve and sometimes changed lanes. Is it the modification of eating and other behaviors? Probably”, Says Dr Christophe Batard, pediatrician.

To measure this effect, the National Observatory for Physical Activity and Sedentary Life compared two surveys carried out among 7-10 year olds one year apart.

“We see compared to children of the same age last year, who had a normal schooling, an increase in body mass index, a decrease in their physical capacity by 40%, in particular their capacity for endurance and coordination, and a decrease in their intellectual capacity”, Explains Prof. Martine Duclos.

Overweight, obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes… This sedentary lifestyle has serious consequences on health.