Children should have standing desks in classrooms instead of the traditional or standard desks, to help lessen the chances of developing obesity and to do away with an inactive sitting position. Experts have made this proposal after studying the health and wellness of third and fourth grade students at an elementary school in Texas.
The study, which can be browsed via the American Journal of Public Health, looked into the condition of 380 students and their teachers. The participants were randomly assigned to do their school work on either a standing desk or a traditional or standard desk. They were monitored by the researchers for two years.
The experts found out that the students who were assigned standing desks lost a modest amount of weight after two years. They learned that these students' body mass index dropped to five percent. The experts also believe that because these kids had standing desks, then the propensity for sedentary behavior patterns was minimized.
The kids have a stool on standby, so that they can alternately sit and stand when needed. Thus, the students avoided sitting for longer periods. Some of the participants even developed improved posture from sitting a lot less.
Standing desks are a tool in the effort to promote healthy weight for kids! https://t.co/LmQp6nK8Ip #standingdesk pic.twitter.com/ixlYCCUhtr
— SaludToday (@SaludToday) September 7, 2016
"If you look at the national trends, we're more sedentary than ever before, and naturally that affects weight gain," said one of the study authors, Mark Benden, via Reuters Health. He emphasized that because schools have limited recess and gym classes to focus more on academics in the current school system, then a standing desk might provide the right balance. "If we want kids to sit less and move more, we should encourage activity in the learning process," Benden added.
In recent years, standing desks have become a trend among adults in the workplace, according to Forbes. Many corporations have recognized that aside from improving a person's physical health, it can also help with productivity as employees are more conditioned to work.
Would you want your children to have standing desks at their school? Share your thoughts about this matter in the comments below!
