Kids try new activities with fit friends

New research has shown that children who try new activities with their best friends are more physically mobile.

A study carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol found that both boys and girls who have close chums that are active are more fit themselves.

"Our findings show that supporting physical activity among friendship groups and encouraging friends to be active together, particularly outside of school, may bring about important changes to children's physical activity," Dr Russ Jago, one of the academics involved in the research, said.

Natasha Stewart, a cardiac nurse with the British Heart Foundation, said that a child is more likely to be active if they have a "good exercise role model" in the form of a friend.

The Better With A Buddy: The Influence Of Best Friends On Children's Physical Activity study was carried out on 986 children between the ages of ten and 11.
In addition, Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds, said that it's ok for kids to spend time playing on the computer as long as this is balanced with physical exercise.

Posted by Louie Grant

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