Are your kids getting enough exercise?

Masterfile

A new Canadian study says that even very young kids are turning into couch potatotes. "These children are zero to four, so we consider it part of their DNA to move. But we're finding more and more are actually sedentary," said Kelly Murumets, president and CEO of ParticipACTION. Researchers found that children under four spent around three-quarters of their time sitting and had excessive screen time in front of computers, TVs or video games.

Expert advice: The research inspired new guidelines from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology: Children under one should play throughout the day, those one to four should get 180 minutes of physical activity daily, and all kids shouldn't be inactive for more than an hour at a time. "It's really about play and letting kids be kids," said Murumets.