Crisis of couch potato children: Eight out of 10 in Shropshire 'failing to exercise enough'

Guidelines state children should get at least an hour of physical activity every day of the week – but 79 per cent of five to 16-year-olds in Shropshire fail to hit this target, and 86 per cent in Telford & Wrekin.

The figures have been published by Sport England as part of the Active Lives children and young people survey.

It says more than 20,000 children across Shropshire are actually doing less than half an hour of physical activity a day.

Council bosses in Shropshire say they have been working closely with organisations to promote physical activity, including school games.

Shropshire Star comment:

• Exercise no longer in vogue

Rod Thomson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said the authority works closely with Energize, the county sports partnership, to promote physical activity for children and young people, as well as adults.

He said: “This support includes the promotion of schools games, which enables pupils from all local schools to take part in fun-based physical activity as well as introducing them to sports and activities that they may not be aware of.”

Council chiefs have also encouraged schools to sign up to the Daily Mile, a project that aims to get pupils out of the classroom for 15 minutes every day to run or jog with their classmates.

It comes as the survey found that children in the county were more likely to miss the target during school hours.

The survey found that an estimated 11,500 children aged between five and 16 in the Shropshire Council area do less than 30 minutes of exercise a day on average.

A further 6,900 manage an average of at least half an hour a day, but less than an hour. In the Telford & Wrekin area an estimated 9,800 children between five and 16 do less than 30 minutes of exercise a day on average. The figures show that another 6,100 manage an average of at least half an hour a day, but less than an hour.

‘Help children to be active’ plea issued

Parents across the county are being urged to encourage their children to do more exercise.

Government officials have said the number of young people not doing enough exercise is “simply unacceptable”.

Council chiefs in Telford say technological changes have led to people becoming more sedentary and changes are needed in order to lower these numbers in the future.

Arnold England, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, has called for parents to help in this venture.

He said: “Actions need to be taken at all levels to encourage young people to exercise more – nationally by government, and locally with the council working with schools, the NHS, partner organisations.

“The council cannot tackle this issue alone – everyone needs to do their bit.

“Parents in particular play a very influential role in a young person’s life.

“So we’d encourage parents to have a look at the Change4life website, which has tips and advice for parents that want their child to exercise more.”

Activities

Government guidelines state that children and young people should get half their daily hour of physical activity at school, and half out of school.

Clubs and sports teams that take place outside school hours count as out of school activities, even if they are school-run.

In Shropshire, the survey showed that children were more likely to miss the target in school.

During school hours in Shropshire, 59 per cent of students said they were active for less than 30 minutes a day, compared to 44 per cent outside school.

The Telford figures show that during school hours, 67 per cent of students said they were active for less than 30 minutes a day, with 58 per cent outside school.

Councillor England says Telford & Wrekin Council is making efforts to encourage schools to sign up to the Daily Mile – a project that encourages pupils to get out of the classroom for 15 minutes every day to run or jog at their own pace. Only a headteacher, or a teacher or PE lead authorised by the head, can sign-up a school or nursery, but it can be done online at thedailymile.co.uk/school-signup

Health commissioners have also encouraged people to get active, saying exercise can also help improve mental health.

“Getting active is a key component of self care and contributes towards physical health and mental wellbeing, “ said Richard Caddy, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group. “We know that increased fitness can lead to reduced stress and contribute towards happiness.

“Keeping active is important for people of all ages, as is eating a healthy diet.”

'Big wake-up call'

Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth is calling for system-wide change and “a national focus on the health and wellbeing of our nation’s children”.

He called the report “a big wake-up call for all of us”.

He said: “Parents, schools, the sport and leisure industry and Government all have a role to play in addressing and increasing childhood activity.

“These results tell us that what is currently being done to support them is not enough and change is required.

“We know that lots of factors affect behaviour and there is no single answer to the problem; but listening to young people and what they want is the best starting point.

“Our children deserve better, and Sport England is determined to play its part.” Sports Minister Mims Davies said the number of young people not doing enough exercise is “simply unacceptable”.

She said: “We know that an active child is a happier child and efforts must be stepped up to encourage young people to live healthy, active lives.”

Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin is an independent organisation which encourages people to get active.

For more details about leisure activities in the Telford & Wrekin area visit telford.gov.uk/info/20276/getting_active

Further details on leading a healthy lifestyle are available at nhs.uk/change4life