Should pupils’ fitness be a school’s responsibility?

Sep 4 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

Alarm bells are ringing over child obesity, says Paula Owens

WITH levels of childhood obesity growing dramatically over the past decade or two, fears for the health and fitness of our youth are mounting.

Many of us are aware of the problem and its causes, with today’s sedentary lifestyle and the abundance of convenience foods most often blamed for children’s weight gain.

Around 20% of young people in Merseyside are now classed as obese. They are more likely to suffer serious health problems, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, in later life.

And yesterday, the Daily Post revealed that just one in five teenagers leaving secondary schools in Merseyside are getting enough exercise to prevent obesity.

A study conducted by the former Department for Education and Skills showed a sharp decline across the region between 2002 and the last school year. The figures also suggest a drop in physical activity once a child leaves primary school.

Eighty per cent of Year Ten boys and 78% of Year Ten girls said they had not taken exercise which left them out of breath more than three times in any seven-day period. In 2002, there were 48% of teenage boys and 31% of girls claiming to be doing vigorous exercise three times a week.

The fact that school uniform suppliers are now stocking larger uniforms supports experts’ fears of a regional obesity crisis

National Schoolwear Centres, which has bases in Cheshire, is now stocking blazers, trousers and shirts in larger sizes.

So, who should ensure that secondary school pupils are getting enough exercise?

This week, the Daily Post asks: Should schools be responsible for children’s fitness?

YES: The Case For - All educational outlets have a leading role to play

by Paul Clein Liverpool's executive member children’s services

THERE is no doubt there is an increasing problem with obesity in young people in the UK, and Liverpool is no exception. There are several reasons for this.

Our society has changed significantly in recent years so that, for many, family life has become increasingly fragmented, resulting in lots of parents either choosing or being forced to spend less time with their children and what time is spent en famille becoming more home-focused.

I’d suggest our insane housing market is partly responsible for that in often compelling both parents to work in order to manage to pay the mortgage.

Parents perceive with justification that children are less safe playing with friends in the street than in their day because of greater traffic density.

The trend for children to pursue solitary computer-based activities and even the seemingly standard location of a TV in every child’s bedroom also militate against taking appropriate levels of exercise.

So, what can be done?

I think as part of a multi-agency approach, schools and other educational outlets such as youth clubs have a leading role to play in helping to deliver strategies to try to bridge the gap.

In schools, this will require at least a partial return to the ethos prevalent before the alienation of teachers by the Thatcher government in the 1980s which resulted in many sporting and extra-curricular activities falling off the edge.

The extended schools programme, with its various activities, will also help in that, as will the type of initiative pioneered by Liverpool City Council since early 2006, where young people now have free entry into our sports and leisure centres.

This has resulted in major increases in uptake by youngsters of opportunities for swimming and other sports.

Our health service colleagues obviously also have a valuable contribution to make in that multi-agency partnership in encouraging healthier eating and greater awareness of nutritional issues.

As is often the case, I suspect one of the main keys will be early intervention. Younger children especially need to be encouraged more to take regular exercise, not necessarily particularly regimented. They need to be free to run round burning off energy and exploring their physicality.

This is a problem where Liverpool is taking a lead and our schools are already playing a major role. Long may that continue.

NO: The Case Against - Parents must set healthy example to their children

by John Marsden, head of Liverpool Active City

STUDIES show that only one in three boys and one in five girls aged between nine and 11 in Liverpool are active enough to benefit their health. This leaves experts to conclude that most of the city’s children are doing less than the recommended hour of exercise a day.

While schools and partner groups are doing an excellent job in hitting government targets, the next step should be to encourage children to be more active outside school time – and that responsibility lies with parents.

By 2010, the number of over- weight and obese youngsters in the EU is expected to hit 26m, with more than 1m children showing signs of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or raised cholesterol levels.

It's a sad fact, but the lure of electronic entertainment and fast food has left a whole generation of over- weight children doing less exer- cise than ever before. Instead of romping around the garden, deaf to mealtime calls, youngsters are playing computer games and gorg- ing on sugar-laden snacks.

Of course, it's a challenge to instil good eating and fitness habits in children, but setting a good example is the way forward. Kids learn from us, so why not let them see how being healthy can be fun? Parents should be encouraging their kids to have lots of play time and participate in family games, at least an hour a day for those over five, as a vital investment for long- term heart health. But that doesn’t mean busy mums and dads have to clear 60 minutes from their daily diaries to see a difference. Activity can be broken up into shorter bouts of 10 min- utes or more and there’s plenty of help at hand thanks to free leisure passes and Active City supported programmes such as Sportslinx, Splash and Community Games.

When it comes to educating and encouraging people to get active Liverpool is already well on track in meeting government targets. In fact, latest research from Active City reveals that between last April and March, more than 162,000 people partici- pated in community initiatives – walking, running and cycling. That’s about a quarter of the city’s population. Also, a recent Physi- cal Education, School Sports and Club Links survey carried out in Liverpool schools has shown a marked increase in the number of children participating in school activity.

More schools are achieving "Healthy Schools" status in Liverpool, including targets of physical activity and healthy eating. But that doesn’t mean rest- ing on our laurels – far from it – we have a long way to go. But that goal would be much easier to achieve if parents participated in getting their children to change their lifestyles for the better.