MEND: Children need to take part in outdoor play activities
11/01/2010 Children need to take part in regular outdoor play activities and exercise to remain healthy, even with the availability new flab fighting technology, according to MEND.
The organisation, which aims to promote healthier lifestyles to families, was commenting on the invention of a new digital plate which tracks the size of portions being consumed and how fact they eat it. The device is intended to help combat obesity in young people.
Paul Sacher, chief research and development officer at MEND, said: "This device is unlikely to significantly impact the health of many obese children as the evidence is clear that in order for sustained improvements in health, fitness and well being children need to both improve their eating habits and engage in regular physical activity."
He believes that childhood obesity "should be tackled within families and communities", rather than with technology.
MEND recommends that families try to take part in at least one outdoor play activity together per week and encourage children to take part in exercising outdoors as often as possible.

The organisation, which aims to promote healthier lifestyles to families, was commenting on the invention of a new digital plate which tracks the size of portions being consumed and how fact they eat it. The device is intended to help combat obesity in young people.
Paul Sacher, chief research and development officer at MEND, said: "This device is unlikely to significantly impact the health of many obese children as the evidence is clear that in order for sustained improvements in health, fitness and well being children need to both improve their eating habits and engage in regular physical activity."
He believes that childhood obesity "should be tackled within families and communities", rather than with technology.
MEND recommends that families try to take part in at least one outdoor play activity together per week and encourage children to take part in exercising outdoors as often as possible.



