China fights sedentary behavior increasing play time outside, limiting online gaming

Researchers led by the University of Bristol revealed that the Chinese government introduced laws to restrict online gaming companies catering to this age group, limited the amount of homework school teachers can assign and also curtailed when private tuition businesses can provide lessons

New Delhi: In a world-first, China's recent laws on increasing play time outside, while limiting online gaming and homework have shown promise to fight surging sedentary behaviour in children, according to a study on Monday.

Sedentary behaviour is known to raise risks of a host of health issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, among others.

Researchers led by the University of Bristol revealed that the Chinese government introduced laws to restrict online gaming companies catering to this age group, limited the amount of homework school teachers can assign and also curtailed when private tuition businesses can provide lessons.

The measures helped achieve a 13.8 per cent drop in daily sitting time, which equals more than 45 minutes spent daily in this physically inactive mode.

Average daily screen-viewing time -- including using mobile phones, handheld game consoles, tablets, televisions, games consoles connected to televisions, or computers -- reduced by 6.4 per cent (10 minutes). The study, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, showed that the pioneering measures have proved effective, and may help develop future policies and measures aimed at improving children's physical and mental well-being globally.

"The results are exciting as this type of regulatory intervention across multiple settings has never been tried before,” said Dr. Bai Li, from the Center for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences at the University's School for Policy Studies.