Survey: Kids lack exercise, healthful foods

By Mamta Popat, AP

Federal guidelines recommend that children get an hour or more of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity a day.

EnlargeCloseBy Mamta Popat, AP

Federal guidelines recommend that children get an hour or more of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity a day.

Most kids don't come close to getting enough exercise daily and don't eat enough fruits and vegetables: 62% of 1,630 parents with children ages 5 to 10 say their kids eat junk food one to four days a week.

Only 14% of parents say their kids eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day.

These results shed light on the reasons for the childhood obesity epidemic. About a third of children in the USA are overweight, which puts them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems.

Even though 89% of parents rate themselves good or excellent in providing a healthy home environment, most say they face serious roadblocks to providing healthy lifestyles for their kids, citing too many competing activities

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