Final answer:
The claim is false; children aged 5-17 should engage in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, not just 3 times a week, to meet the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for substantial health benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that children aged 5-17 need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day at least 3 times a week is FALSE. According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, for substantial health benefits, children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. This includes activities where a person can talk, but not sing, during the activity (moderate) and activities where a person cannot say more than a few words without pausing for breath (vigorous). Examples of vigorous activities may include sports like basketball, which helps in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. Additionally, it is advised to include muscle-strengthening activities as part of their routine. Simply put, children and adolescents should engage in physical activity every day to reap the health benefits, not just three times a week.