Physical inactivity among children has reached epidemic levels, say researchers from the University of Leicester. Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Professor Melanie Davies and Dr Margaret Stone have just completed one of the largest studies of physical activity levels of inner city school children ever undertaken and the findings make sobering reading. They surveyed more than 3,000 pupils from inner city secondary schools in Leicester, UK, and identified low levels of physical activity in nearly all the children. Only half the children walked to school and half the kids spent 4 hours or more a day watching television, videos or playing computer games.
"Metabolic abnormalities precede the development of diabetes by some years and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in children often persist into adulthood. There is also evidence of increased risk of cardiovascular risk factors in children of South Asian origin compared to white children. The need to implement prevention strategies for childhood obesity is therefore a major target for the government and health care professionals," explained Professor Khunti.
"Overall, the physical activity levels in inner city school children are very low and parents, schools and community health providers need to address the results of these findings to reduce their future risks of developing diabetes and heart disease in children," the researchers concluded.
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Source: University of Leicester
