Parents are being urged to walk their children to school, on the back of figures which show just 22% are achieving the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
NHS statistics published on 4 April show that 20% of Year 6 pupils – and 10% of children in Reception – are classified as obese.
The figures also reveal that 55% of fathers and 41% of mothers of obese or overweight children believe their child was ‘about the right weight or too light’.
To help combat the rising problem of childhood obesity, Living Streets – the walking charity – is encouraging parents to participate in next month’s Walk to School Week.
Walk to School Week (21-25 May) is an annual event organised by Living Streets to highlight how swapping four wheels for two feet makes children feel healthier and happier, while also reducing congestion and pollution outside the school gates.
In 2017, 400,000 children and their families took part in the five-day challenge, receiving ‘a taste of the many benefits the simple act of walking can bring’.
Jenni Wiggle from Living Streets said: “Childhood obesity is one of the biggest health threats facing the UK.
“Swapping the school run for a school walk is an easy way for families to fit more activity into their day and take the fight against obesity into their own hands.”
It was interesting that during the Easter school holidays I would say that about 97% of traffic was not on the streets. The streets and main road were empty at a a time when they would be busy and bustling, breaking at the seems so to speak. As the vast majority of school children live within a short enough walk to their respective schools it’s nice to see the quiet streets for a change. I know that some parents have concerns with regards to their child’s safety and that some kids, especially at senior schools, may have a few miles to travel but I did that by bus when I was a kid.
Bob Craven
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