Getting children off the sofa, away from the TV and outside can be a challenging task for any parent, particularly in the age of increasingly sedentary and screen-focused lives.
To stay healthy, it is recommended that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. But this has been in decline in recent years. And now only 21% of boys and 16% of girls are meeting the recommendations.
This lack of activity has major implications for children’s health, including an increased risk of obesity and diabetes. Research has also shown that this can impact children’s mental health
and well-being with their academic
performance.
Children’s physical activity levels are influenced by an array of factors, including friends and family, schools and teachers, and the area in which they live.
To help better understand the factors that can help or hinder the physical activity levels of children today, my colleagues and I recently conducted a study to explore the barriers children face when it comes to being physically active.
As part of the research, we spoke to 133 children between the ages of 7 and 11 in schools in England and Wales. We discovered two main barriers for children when it comes to exercise - screen time and hectic family lifestyles. Two things we are sure many parents can relate to.
With this in mind, we have outlined below some ways you can overcome these obstacles and help get your children more active.
Change the way children use screen time
Many of the children in the study reported having access to a wide range of screen options such as computers, tablets and mobile phones.
And many of them talked about the addictive nature of being on screens - saying that they can often while away hours at a time. One child told us how his normal weekend usually involved a high amount of screen time.
“Normally, at weekends, I just wake up, watch TV. Then at nine in the morning I start playing video games, and when I have to come off, I just watch TV.
Then, a little while later I go back on the video games. And then I normally watch a movie off Netflix, off my tablet And then straight after that I play video games. And that’s what I do. And sometimes I go to the park.”
Screen time is a significant barrier to children being active, and can be addictive - but it doesn’t all have to be bad news. Setting screen time limits can help regulate children’s usage.
You can also encourage children to use their screens, apps and gadgets in a positive way to help get them moving. This can include the use of pedometers or activity trackers, which can help to monitor and increase activity levels and track progress along the way.
Be a role model
Support and encouragement from family members is really important.
Our research showed that this isn’t just about being able to buy expensive equipment or driving children to after-school activities and sports clubs - it’s about setting a good example of how to live an active life.
This includes reinforcing the benefits of being active, and getting children into active habits from a young age.
Getting outdoors and in nature can be a great way to get children to see the benefits of being fit and healthy. This can include visits to green spaces, parks, playgrounds, walks and cycle tracks as part of your everyday family life.
Don’t let bad weather stop you either - take a raincoat and wellies and show the kids that come rain or shine the outdoors is always an option.
Make the time
Modern-day family life can be hectic, and it can feel like a challenge to find the time and energy to be active.
Our research revealed that many families could do with a bit of help and support to find ways to build activity into their lives. One child we spoke to told us how:
“I want to be more active because me and my mum used to go for three-mile runs, but for some reason she keeps forgetting, and I keep trying to remind her but she’s always busy.”
A few small changes to daily routines and a bit of forward planning can make all the difference.
Things such as stopping off at the park on the way home from school for 15 minutes - or children walking or cycling whenever possible. Families can also find ways to be active indoors, including dancing and active video games.
These might sound like small changes, but taken together they can have a big impact on children’s health and well-being.
This article first appeared in The Conversation