In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity published guidelines that recommended more than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily and qualified this recommendation by adding that the chosen activity should be “developmentally appropriate, enjoyable, and involve a variety of activities.”4

To date, 60 minutes of physical activity daily continues to be the accepted recommendation for children and adolescents. Because most schools do not offer a full hour of physical education, time spent playing during recess or after school, or engaged in after-school sports are ways kids can round out their daily exercise needs.

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