NCD Watch

Raising Healthy 'Free-range Kids'

30 Jul 2012 (Mon)

In children, long period of time spent watching television or videos, using computer or other screen-based entertainments (screen time) means less opportunity for active and creative play, and fewer of the associated benefits. However, many children in Hong Kong spend too much time in front of a screen. The Child Health Survey 2005/2006 of the Department of Health showed that over half (57.8%) of children aged 4-14 years spent 2 or more hours per day on screen-based entertainments.

Children should limit their screen time. For preschool and older children, total quality screen time should be limited to no more than 2 hours per day. For children under 2 years of age, there should be no screen time at all. Besides, parents and carers should recognise the importance of physical activity to children’s growth and development, and provide sufficient opportunities for indoor and outdoor physical activities. While preschool children ought to be physically active daily for at least 3 hours spread throughout the day regardless of the intensity of activity, children older than 6 years of age should get at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity a day.