Decreasing sedentary time in class reduces obesity in children

Introducing more movement into lessons led to an 8% reduction in children's waist-to-height ratio, according to new research from UCL and the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH). The study, published in Obesity Facts , is the first scientific assessment of the impact that reducing sedentary behaviour in the classroom has on obesity in primary school children. The authors say that the positive impact on children's weight, regardless of factors like socio-economic status, suggests that the approach could be a cheap and effective way to improve children's health. According to the most recent estimates (2022-23), 22.7% of Year 6 children in England are obese. This is up from 18.9% in 2012-13. Previous exercise interventions in schools aimed at reducing obesity have met with some success in the short term, but have been resource-intensive and haven't always led to lasting behavioural changes. In this study, researchers from UCL and ISEH investigated the effect of reducing sedentary time, rather than increasing exercise, on physical activity and obesity in children at 30 UK state primary schools.