WHO Report: Children Should Play More and Sit Less
According to a recent WHO report, children under five should spend less time sitting, get more sleep and more active play. This is necessary for them to grow up to be healthy.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said:
“Achieving health for all means doing what is best for health right from the beginning of people’s lives. Early childhood is a period of rapid development and a time when family lifestyle patterns can be adapted to boost health gains.”
The new guidelines on sedentary behavior, physical activity and sleep for children under five were developed by a panel of experts. They reviewed the effects of inadequate sleep, sitting too much and watching TV. They also examined the benefits of increased activity.
Dr. Fiona Bull, program manager for surveillance and population-based prevention of noncommunicable diseases at WHO said:
“Improving physical activity, reducing sedentary time and ensuring quality sleep in young children will improve their physical, mental health and wellbeing, and help prevent childhood obesity and associated diseases later in life.”
Failure to meet current standards of activity is responsible for more than 5 million deaths around the world each year and across all age groups. At the moment, 23% of adults and 80% of teenagers are not sufficiently physically active. If sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep habits are established early in life, the developed habits are often carried out throughout adolescence and into adulthood.
From the other side, quality sedentary time spent in non-screen-based activities such as storytelling, puzzles, reading, storytelling. This is all very important for the development of children.
It’s important to replace prolonged, sedentary screen time with getting enough sleep and active play. Children who are active are more likely to develop their motor and cognitive skills accordingly and on time.
Millenials are Obsessed with Wellness
Millennials Love Wellness but They are not as Healthy as We Think
Millennials are behind the $4.2 trillion global wellness market. They love meditation, boutique fitness, yoga and eating healthy, however, despite valuing wellness and health, millennials are in worse health than Generation X used to be.
According to the report from the Blue Cross Shield Association, millennials who were between ages 21 and 26 in 2017 had overall good health that year. Data analysis from the Blue Cross of 55 million millennials who are commercially insured. At the age of 27, millennials’ health declined. The decline is less than what we could expect from that age.
Behavioral health problems are increasing in this population by 31% from 2014 to 2017, while rates of psychotic conditions have increased by 15% and the substance abuse rate is higher by 10%.
Researchers found that female millennials are in poorer health than male millennials. The main reasons behind the stats are the stress of modern life, stationary way of life and jobs that require sitting for eight hours.
It is urgent for the healthcare community to recognize issues millennials are facing and what can be done differently to help them.
Google Fit Launches on iPhone With Integration of Apple Health and Apple Watch
Google Fit is the fitness tracking app which can track completed workout sessions. With Apple Watch or a Wear OS smartwatch, the app integrates movement from fitness apps connected to Apple Health such as Nike Run Club, Sleep Cycle and Headspace.
Furthermore, Google Fit keeps users motivated with Heart points and Move Minutes which are based on the World Health Organization and American Health Association’s recommendations for weekly physical activity. The more intensely you move, the more Heart Points you can receive.
Additional features allow users to track their activities and to view their progress towards weekly Heart Points and Move Minutes goals.
Google Fit data was already available on iOS through the Wear OS app and owning a Wear OS smartwatch was the main requirement.
With the Apple Watch and Apple Health integration, the new Google Fit app is the best solution.
Health and fitness apps are becoming even more popular in the past few years. The apps are suitable for those who are trying to develop healthier habits when it comes to their physical activity, diet, sleep or any other habit that can help them live healthier lives.
