Children are encouraged to get more active
Childhood obesity is a problem in this country as we know, but kids are fighting back in an effort to get more active.
Between 28 February and 20 March when hundreds of thousands of UK school pupils cycled and scooted more than 1,000,000 miles to school as part of charity Sustrans’ Big Pedal competition.
With 19% of children living in the UK being obese, kids from 49 secondary and 927 primary schools took matters into their own hands by ditching the car and doing the school run by walking, cycling or scooting over a three week period.
The combined efforts of the youngsters saved their families approximately £358,000 in unnecessary fuel costs by opting for two wheels instead of four.
Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans Chief Executive said,
“It’s a tragedy that so many of our children are denied opportunities to be active, creating serious health problems which worsen as they get older.
“Cycling and walking are key ingredients for tackling childhood inactivity and obesity, but sadly too many children and their parents don’t feel safe on our roads.
“Local authorities and central government must help improve the health of our children by making walking and cycling the safest, easiest and most enjoyable ways to travel.”
Research shows that children who are physically active are less likely to suffer from a range of diseases as they get older, including coronary heart disease and stroke, many forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes and mental ill-health.
Nearly half of all UK children want to be able to get to school by bike but only four per cent actually do. The Big Pedal 2013 was organised by Sustrans and funded by BikeHub.
Kids, parents and schools inspired by the success of Big Pedal 2013, can sign up to Bike to School Week which takes place between 10-14 June. For more information, please go to www.sustrans.org.uk
Tagged in Obesity Cycling fitness tips