23/11/2009
Parents’ reality gap hides truth
about kids exercise levels
Parents are stuck in a worrying "reality gap" when it comes to
their children’s fitness levels, according to a new survey by
the British Heart Foundation.
Whilst 71% of parents think their children are
"active enough,” barely one in ten
(11%) are doing the recommended daily 60
minutes of physical activity.
The heart charity released the findings as it published its new
new Couch Kids report,
highlighting how physical activity is a crucial component in
tackling childhood obesity.
Whilst 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 last decade. Currently around a
third of young people are overweight or obese.
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at
the BHF, said: "Mums and dads need to take off the blinkers about
how active kids need to be in order to keep their hearts
healthy.
"Kids need to get moving more, yet we’ve been standing still for
the last decade. Children aren’t really any more active than they
were ten years ago.
"Parents have such an important role in helping and encouraging
their kids to be more active by building exercise into their every
day lives - whether that’s taking part in team sports, playing
outside with their friends or walking to school."
This UK wide report pulls together research from a wealth of
sources to provide a clear picture of the level of childhood
obesity, how active children are, barriers that stop them, and
makes recommendations on tackling the problem.
Dr Knapton said: "Local authorities need to
feature public health more strongly in transport, planning and
education policies.
"One example would be through recognising the importance of safe
cycling routes and making sure children have interesting places to
play."
As a result the BHF is calling for urgent action to ensure
children can get fit and active easily with:
Consistent guidelines on recommended levels of physical activity
for all age groups.
Schools maximising the opportunities for children to take part
in physical activity during and around the school day
Consistent collection of data about physical activity levels
across the UK by local authorities, regional bodies and national
governments (5).
For a full copy of the report please go to bhf.org.uk/couchkids
Notes to editors
For more information, please contact the BHF press
office on 020 7554 0164 or 07764 290381 (out of hours) or email
newsdesk@bhf.org.uk
(1) BHF TNS Survey of 940 UK parents, August 2009. All figures,
unless otherwise stated, are from TNS. Total sample size was 940 UK
parents of children aged 8-15. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28
July and 17 August 2009. This survey was carried out online.
(2) Couch Kids, BHF report, 2009, pg 31
Full reference: Craig R and Shelton N (Eds) (2008) Health Survey
for England 2007 volume 1:Healthy Lifestyles: knowledge, attitudes
and behaviour. Leeds: the NHS Information Centre for health and
social care.
(3) Couch Kids BHF report, 2009 pg.11
Full references: Craig R and Shelton N (Eds) (2008) Health
Survey for England 2007 volume 1:Healthy Lifestyles: knowledge,
attitudes and behaviour. Leeds: the NHS Information Centre for
health and social care.
Sprotson K and Primatesta, P (2003); Health Survey for England
2002-The Health of Chidlren and Young People. London. The
Stationery Office.
(4) Couch Kids, BHF report, 2009, pg 30
Full references:Craig, R. and Shelton, N. (Eds.) (2008);Health
Survey for England 2007 Volume 1: Healthy lifestyles: knowledge,
attitudes and behaviour. Leeds: The NHS Information Centre for
health and social care.
Welsh Assembly Government (2008); Welsh Health Survey 2007.
Cardiff: Welsh Assembly Government.
Bromley, C. Bradshaw, P. and Given, L. (2009);The Scottish
Health Survey 2008. Volume 1: Main Report. Edinburgh: The Scottish
Government.
(5) Couch Kids, BHF report, pg. 36-37
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