Parents Overestimate Child Fitness Levels
Seven in 10 parents (71 per cent) think their children are “active enough” but only one in 10 of their children (10 per cent) say they do the recommended amount of exercise, according to a survey out today from British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Nearly 1,000 UK parents with children aged eight to 15 were questioned. BHF’s report ‘Couch Kids’ shows that while the number of obese children has risen since the mid-1990s, there have been no major changes in children’s physical activity levels over the past decade. “Regular physical activity is vital for children to reduce their chances of becoming obese and developing Type 2 diabetes,” said Libby Dowling, Care Advisor at diabetes UK. “It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. This does not have to be all in one go; it can be in chunks of about 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day. She went on to say that parents have a key part to play in controlling their children’s weight, and that encouraging them to be fit and active by simply walking to school or playing football in the garden are great ways to give children the start in life they deserve.” A Department of Heath spokesperson added: “Tackling childhood obesity is a priority for the Government. Read more… SourceDiabetes UK