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Table 1 Outline of international definitions and recommendations of physical activity and sedentary behavior in children and adolescents

From: Physical activity and sedentary behavior following pediatric burns – a preliminary investigation using objective activity monitoring

 

Definition

Recommendations

Physical activity

Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure – including activities undertaken while working, playing, carrying out household chores, travelling, and engaging in recreational pursuits [25].

Children and adolescents aged 5–17 should accumulate at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. Most of the daily physical activity should be aerobic. Vigorous activities should be incorporated, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 times per week [25].

Sedentary behavior

Any waking behavior, characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (MET’s), while in a sitting or reclining posture [47].

Children (aged 5–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–17 years) should minimize the time they spend being sedentary each day. To achieve this:

- Limit use of electronic media for entertainment (e.g. television, seated electronic games and computer use) to no more than 2 h per day [48, 49]

- Limit sedentary (motorized) transport, extended sitting time, and time spent indoors throughout the day [48]

- Break up long periods of sitting as often as possible [49]