One in five kids ‘does no sports or exercise at school’ and ‘face higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes,’ shock report claims
Experts brand the findings 'lamentable' as they warn lack of activity is putting a generation at higher risk of obesity
MORE than one in five kids does no PE at school, shocking research reveals.
Government guidelines recommend children do at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day — with 30 minutes taken at school.
But the latest Health Survey for England shows 21 per cent of five to 15-year-olds do no walking, sports or exercise there. Experts branded the findings “lamentable”.
They warned lack of activity is putting a generation at higher risk of obesity and conditions like heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Steven Ward, ukactive executive director, called for urgent Government action, saying PE should be given equal importance to English and maths. He said: “The alarming levels of inactivity represent a ticking timebomb for the NHS.”
He urged schools to adopt the Daily Mile scheme, where kids commit to regular walks or runs.
The research, published by NHS Digital, shows boys get less exercise than seven years ago. Only 23 per cent meet the guidelines, against 28 per cent in 2008.
The number of girls hitting the target remained at about 20 per cent.