Only one in eight children get the recommended daily amount of exercise.
The UK’s youngsters are failing to get enough daily exercise, with only one in eight of them getting 60 minutes of physical activity a day – the recommended daily amount – according to a survey published by the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Food4Thought campaign today
The survey found that nearly one-in-three children (30%) did under an hour of exercise a week. Worryingly 78% of children were unaware of the recommended daily amount of exercise they should be doing, with 30% even admitting they ‘can’t be bothered’ to exercise on a daily basis.
Recent research has predicted that if current trends continue two thirds of all children will be overweight or obese by 2050 (2). Of the children surveyed, one-in-five (20%) considered exercise to be ‘a chore’ and think you only need to do it if you’re overweight.
Children are now spending more time on their computers and mobile phones with over half (55%) admitting they spend 60 minutes or more a day texting / chatting to their friends and visiting social networking websites.
The nation’s heart charity release the new survey results as it launches its Food4Thought campaign, aimed at getting children more active as part of the battle against childhood obesity. Alongside this, the BHF welcomes the arrival of its latest schools initiative – Ultimate Dodgeball – an attempt to fire up children’s interest in physical activity throughout UK schools (bhf.org.uk/dodgeball).
This year’s campaign also marks the return of the Yoobot. With over one million Yoobots being created last year, this innovative online game has become a staple in children’s lives and helps them to make informed and healthier food choices (yoobot.co.uk).
Director of Prevention and Care for the BHF, Dr Mike Knapton, said: “We have a generation of kids growing up who have a shockingly blasé attitude towards exercise and being active.
“Ultimate Dodgeball is a great way to get children interested in sport and physical activity - young people need to switch off their square eyes and get in the habit of exercising now.”
The Food4Thought campaign is also backed by former British Olympic champion, Sally Gunnell, who said:
“As a mum, I know how children can benefit from being active. It’s something that all children should enjoy as part of a healthy lifestyle and is also a great way to socialise with friends. Children’s sluggish attitude towards daily exercise is worrying and it’s great to see the BHF thinking of new ways to get them intrigued and active again.”
For further information on the BHF’s Food4Thought campaign visit bhf.org.uk/junkfood
