Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/children-losing-the-race-in-cardiovascular-fitness-to-their-parents-study-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Children losing the race in cardiovascular fitness to their parents, study says Nation Nov 19, 2013 5:45 PM EST Children are lagging behind their counterparts from 30 years ago in cardiovascular fitness, the American Heart Association reported. Photo by Flickr user terren in Virginia Children today aren’t quite as quick on their feet as their parents were at their age, the American Heart Association said Thursday. The AP reports that after analyzing studies on 25 million children, researchers say that children that range from 9 to 17 years of age take 90 seconds longer to run a mile than children of those same ages did 30 years ago. The same study reported that childhood cardiovascular fitness has declined 5 percent each decade since 1975. “If a young person is generally unfit now, then they are more likely to develop conditions like heart disease later in life,” said Dr. Grant Tomkinson, who led the study. Dr. Tomkinson claimed children were less used to aerobic exercise due to much more time spent indoors. “We need to inspire young children to keep active to improve their general health now and in the future,” he added. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Children are lagging behind their counterparts from 30 years ago in cardiovascular fitness, the American Heart Association reported. Photo by Flickr user terren in Virginia Children today aren’t quite as quick on their feet as their parents were at their age, the American Heart Association said Thursday. The AP reports that after analyzing studies on 25 million children, researchers say that children that range from 9 to 17 years of age take 90 seconds longer to run a mile than children of those same ages did 30 years ago. The same study reported that childhood cardiovascular fitness has declined 5 percent each decade since 1975. “If a young person is generally unfit now, then they are more likely to develop conditions like heart disease later in life,” said Dr. Grant Tomkinson, who led the study. Dr. Tomkinson claimed children were less used to aerobic exercise due to much more time spent indoors. “We need to inspire young children to keep active to improve their general health now and in the future,” he added. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now