New Study Finds Today's Kids 15 Percent Less Fit Than Their Parents Were

In an article by Marilynn Marchione, AP Chief Medical Writer, a new study reveals today's kids are not as fit as their parents were. 

"The new study was led by Grant Tomkinson, an exercise physiologist at the University of South Australia. Researchers analyzed 50 studies on running fitness -- a key measure of cardiovascular health and endurance -- involving 25 million children ages 9 to 17 in 28 countries from 1964 to 2010."

"The studies measured how far children could run in 5 to 15 minutes and how quickly they ran a certain distance, ranging from half a mile to two miles. Today's kids are about 15 percent less fit than their parents were, researchers concluded."

Clearly, today's kids are not getting enough exercise. Hawaii 5210 Let's Go! recommends at least one full hour of physical activity. According to the article, only one third of kids get their one hour a day of exercise. The decline in fitness and exercise can have a number of factors to consider ranging from video games, television, and unsafe neighborhoods for child play or exercise.

It'll be up to our current generation of parents to reach back into their childhood in order to help their kids step-up their fitness!

To read more of the news article "Study: Kids Are Less Fit Than Their Parents Were", click here.