A troubling trend has emerged in the UK, revealing that the average British child participates in less than three hours of physical activity each week. This alarming statistic has parents increasingly worried about the potential negative effects of low activity levels on their children’s health and well-being.
The study, conducted by Ferrero as part of their Joy of Moving program, surveyed 1,000 parents with children aged 5 to 12. While 90% of parents acknowledge the importance of physical activity, a significant 33% are concerned their children are less active than they were at the same age. Consequently, 70% of parents expressed anxiety about the adverse impacts on their child’s physical health and overall well-being.
The research highlights several obstacles to increased physical activity among children. Physical challenges were cited by 38% of parents, while 36% believe their children lack confidence in movement. Over a third (35%) reported their kids feel embarrassed while exercising, and 29% find activities overly competitive. Unsurprisingly, 34% pointed to poor weather as a primary barrier to outdoor play.
Professor John Reilly from the University of Strathclyde emphasizes the importance of meeting the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines, which recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children and adolescents. Although there has been a slight increase in activity levels over the past five years, the target remains unmet.
Reilly stresses the need for a collaborative effort to promote physical activity among children, advocating for increased access to programs designed to encourage movement. This effort requires cooperation between companies, schools, parents, and community organizations to help kids become more active.
Play-based activities are highlighted as effective in increasing physical engagement, with over a third of parents identifying them as the best way to encourage activity. However, a lack of local playgrounds presents a challenge, with 39% of parents wishing for more child-friendly play spaces and access to equipment. Additionally, three-quarters of parents indicated that free online resources offering guidance on active games would be beneficial. Many also believe schools should play a more active role in encouraging physical activity.
Charlie Cayton, a spokesperson for Ferrero, underscores the long-term benefits of an active childhood, noting that those who are active as children are more likely to remain active as adults. Ferrero’s Joy of Moving program promotes this ethos with a unique, play-based approach to physical activity, aiming to instill positive habits from a young age. Cayton emphasizes that every child deserves the opportunity to get active and play, and Ferrero is dedicated to facilitating access to such experiences.
This study serves as a vital reminder of the critical role physical activity plays in children’s healthy development. It also highlights the need for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to address the barriers preventing children from being more active, fostering a society that encourages and supports an active lifestyle from an early age.
