Outdoor play activities 'can be used to combat falling fitness levels'
15/01/2010 Outdoor play activities are an "affordable [and] accessible solution" to combating decreasing levels of fitness in children, according to the Child and Nature Alliance.
The Canadian organisation made the comments after statistics were revealed that showed that a lack of outdoor exercise was contributing to increased levels of childhood obesity in the country.
This is the same problem which is being faced by families in the UK. A recent study by researchers at the University of Essex found that fitness levels among children in the UK had dropped by twice the world average in the past decade.
Encouraging families to take part in outdoor play activities was named as one of the ways to "solve this urgent health problem".
The Child and Nature Alliance said: "Active outdoor play is an inexpensive, accessible solution to decreasing fitness levels in Canadians because it gets people (kids and adults, alike) moving and burning calories while having fun at the same time."
As well as the weight loss benefits associated with outdoor play activities, the organisation is keen to promote the other advantages of playing outdoors, including 'using your body and mind to develop strength and flexibility'.
The Canadian organisation made the comments after statistics were revealed that showed that a lack of outdoor exercise was contributing to increased levels of childhood obesity in the country.
This is the same problem which is being faced by families in the UK. A recent study by researchers at the University of Essex found that fitness levels among children in the UK had dropped by twice the world average in the past decade.
Encouraging families to take part in outdoor play activities was named as one of the ways to "solve this urgent health problem".
The Child and Nature Alliance said: "Active outdoor play is an inexpensive, accessible solution to decreasing fitness levels in Canadians because it gets people (kids and adults, alike) moving and burning calories while having fun at the same time."
As well as the weight loss benefits associated with outdoor play activities, the organisation is keen to promote the other advantages of playing outdoors, including 'using your body and mind to develop strength and flexibility'.
