Lack of outdoor exercise contributes to childhood obesity
17/03/2010 A lack of time spent exercising outdoors is one of the big contributors to the decreasing levels of fitness in British children, according to one expert.
Dr Miriam Stoppard, writing for the Mirror, said that she was backing calls from the chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson for children in UK schools to undergo fitness tests.
She explained that the chief causes of childhood obesity are not enough time spent exercising outdoors and too much junk food.
"If children don't get lots of opportunities to move about every day, they get fat and their fitness level drops," Dr Stoppard commented.
In addition, she said that too many parents are turning a blind eye to the problem, and suggested measures such as sending letters out to the parents of obese children would help address this.
Last week, Dr Stoppard recommended that parents purchase a mini trampoline to help keep their kids happy and healthy.
She explained that mini trampolines can be suitable for kids as young as 18 months old.
Dr Miriam Stoppard, writing for the Mirror, said that she was backing calls from the chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson for children in UK schools to undergo fitness tests.
She explained that the chief causes of childhood obesity are not enough time spent exercising outdoors and too much junk food.
"If children don't get lots of opportunities to move about every day, they get fat and their fitness level drops," Dr Stoppard commented.
In addition, she said that too many parents are turning a blind eye to the problem, and suggested measures such as sending letters out to the parents of obese children would help address this.
Last week, Dr Stoppard recommended that parents purchase a mini trampoline to help keep their kids happy and healthy.
She explained that mini trampolines can be suitable for kids as young as 18 months old.
