Chronic fatigue syndrome is an often disabling condition that affects primarily women. The condition is characterized by deep-seated fatigue that cannot be overcome with rest and often worsens with physical activity. The cause of the condition is unknown, and there are no diagnostic tests or cures. A recent study explains that children who have sedentary behaviors are at increased risk for developing chronic fatigue later in life.
Researchers monitored more than 16,500 children over 30 years for the study. Participants were followed up at ages 5, 10, 16 and 29 or 30. Parents and teachers filled out questionnaires about the child’s activity level.After examining the data, the researchers determined that being female, being in a high social class during childhood, and having a long-standing medical condition in childhood were all factors that increased a person’s risk of developing chronic fatigue. However unlike previous studies, this study found no association between the development of chronic fatigue later in life and maternal behaviors, parental illness, or childhood distress.
Thus researchers say compared to previous suggestions that showed high levels of exercise to increase the risk, they say that they found that the most sedentary children were at greatest risk.
