Policy Opportunities for Addressing Sedentary Behavior in Clinical Settings

Restrict Screen Time

Action steps regarding media include:

Limit use of televisions in practice and hospital waiting rooms.
Exposure to screen time is linked to sedentary lifestyle and where possible clinics and hospitals should be promoting healthy alternatives to screen time for healthy patients.

Recommended by :

• AAP Policy: Preventing Obesity and Eating Disorders in Adolescents
• AAP Policy: Recommendations for Prevention of Childhood Obesity
• Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report: Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies

Know about community before- and after-school programs as well as local recreational activities that can serve as alternatives to screen time.
Understanding the availability of affordable and quality before- and after-school programs and recreation opportunities will improve your ability to counsel patients and their families on healthy active living.

Recommended by:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): School Health Guildelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
• Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report: Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation

For more information:

• Afterschool.gov