Efforts to get more children into sport in the face of rising obesity rates is not helping those who do not enjoy it, an expert has said.
Child health professional Dr Andrew Daly-Smith said that the government’s focus on sport is creating a “barrier” to some children moving more, particularly those who do not like it.
Dr Daly-Smith, from the University of Bradford, said that rather than concentrating on sport uptake, there should be an emphasis on general lifestyle changes to help tackle the number of children and young people who are overweight or have obesity.
- Outdoor exercise more beneficial than indoor exercise
- Pre-workout protein regimen contradicts long-standing belief of carbs before exercise
- Reduced depression risk associated with low intensity exercise
This could include more movement being incorporated into learning, he said, giving the example of using hopscotch to teach times tables.
The academic, who has worked with 50 schools in Bradford to look at the reasons behind obesity rates and inactivity among pupils, said: “While establishing healthy nutrition in schools is a priority to lower levels of obesity, there is also a need for schools to help children move more.
“Sadly, the persistence of governments to focus on sport is turning many children and young people off being physically active.
“It’s not about joining a sports club, it’s more about ensuring physical movement and good lifestyle choices – like a healthy diet – are built into the school day.”
In Bradford, one in five reception-age children and one in three primary school leavers are overweight, according to figures from the council.
As part of the drive to reduce obesity rates, Bradford Council’s recent campaign saw parents surveyed on what their children eat.
Head of public health Tim Howells said: “In a cost of living crisis, people are more likely to access cheaper foods, which are generally less healthy. Their choices are being decided for them based on what’s available.”
- The best exercses to support healthy aging
- How to lose weight and keep it off
- Link between high cancer risk and poor diet identified in recent study
A conference at the university last month looked at the startling health inequalities in Bradford.
Delegates heard how babies born in inner-city areas close to Bradford Royal Infirmary have a life expectancy which is 10 years younger than those from rural Wharfedale.
Professor Mark Mon-Williams, from the University of Leeds, said: “All the data shows children born into poorer families are 13 times more likely to have poorer health outcomes by the age of 70.
“It is absolutely imperative we start to support young people and change the systems to enable them to live healthy and prosperous lives.”
