Sight problems 'caused by lack of outdoor play activities'
20/05/2010 A lack of outdoor play activities is having a detrimental effect on the health of children, including deterioration of their eyesight.
Speaking to the Australian, a number of experts highlighted the risks posed by children not spending enough time taking part in outdoor play activities.
These include a higher chance of being overweight, poor physical fitness, increased stress and poor understanding about the world around them.
Brien Holden, University of NSW professor and chief executive of the Vision Co-operative Research Centre, told the newspaper that a lack of outdoor activities can lead to myopia, or short-sightedness.
"Spending more time outdoors is one of the most powerful influences on vision in children, significantly reducing the risk of becoming short-sighted. Play with a distant horizon is likely to be more effective than play in a visually confined space," he explained.
The many benefits of outdoor play have also recently been highlighted in a report by the White House Childhood Obesity Task Force in the US, which claimed that decline levels of outdoor play were leading to obesity.
Speaking to the Australian, a number of experts highlighted the risks posed by children not spending enough time taking part in outdoor play activities.
These include a higher chance of being overweight, poor physical fitness, increased stress and poor understanding about the world around them.
Brien Holden, University of NSW professor and chief executive of the Vision Co-operative Research Centre, told the newspaper that a lack of outdoor activities can lead to myopia, or short-sightedness.
"Spending more time outdoors is one of the most powerful influences on vision in children, significantly reducing the risk of becoming short-sighted. Play with a distant horizon is likely to be more effective than play in a visually confined space," he explained.
The many benefits of outdoor play have also recently been highlighted in a report by the White House Childhood Obesity Task Force in the US, which claimed that decline levels of outdoor play were leading to obesity.
