BMJ  2004;329 (23 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7472.0

Sedentary childhood increases the risk of CFS

Lower levels of exercise in childhood increase the risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Viner and Hotopf (p 941) followed up more than 11 000 children from the 1970 British birth cohort and found that, at age 30, girls, children from a higher social class, and those with limiting conditions in childhood were more likely to report chronic fatigue syndrome. Contrary to previous evidence, children who exercised more, those with behavioural and psychological problems, and those with mothers with psychological problems were not at increased risk.

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Russell Viner and Matthew Hotopf
BMJ 2004 329: 941. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]