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Parents wrong about child fitness 'Parents wrong' on child fitness
(30 minutes later)
Parents have big misconceptions about the amount of exercise their children take part in, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).Parents have big misconceptions about the amount of exercise their children take part in, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
It says 71% of parents questioned say their children are "active enough" but only one in 10 of the children say they are doing the recommended daily amount. It says 71% of parents polled believe their children are "active enough" but only one in 10 of the children say they are doing the recommended daily amount.
The charity says parents need to take the "blinkers off" about how active their children are to prevent obesity.The charity says parents need to take the "blinkers off" about how active their children are to prevent obesity.
However, one expert said there were many barriers to increased activity.However, one expert said there were many barriers to increased activity.
'Couch Kids''Couch Kids'
The BHF questioned nearly 1,000 UK parents with children aged eight to 15.The BHF questioned nearly 1,000 UK parents with children aged eight to 15.
Parents, carers and children should try and find ways of being active together, at home, at school and at play Dr Ian Campbell, National Obesity ForumParents, carers and children should try and find ways of being active together, at home, at school and at play Dr Ian Campbell, National Obesity Forum
It produced a report called Couch Kids which shows that while the number of obese children has risen since the mid-1990s, there have been no major changes in children's physical activity levels over the past decade.It produced a report called Couch Kids which shows that while the number of obese children has risen since the mid-1990s, there have been no major changes in children's physical activity levels over the past decade.
The BHF is calling for urgent action to ensure children can get fit and active easily with:The BHF is calling for urgent action to ensure children can get fit and active easily with:
  • Guidelines on recommended levels of physical activity for all age groups
  • Schools maximising the opportunities for physical activity
  • Collection of data about physical activity levels across the UK by local authorities and national governments
  • Guidelines on recommended levels of physical activity for all age groups
  • Schools maximising the opportunities for physical activity
  • Collection of data about physical activity levels across the UK by local authorities and national governments
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the BHF, said: "Mums and dads need to take the blinkers off about how active kids need to be in order to keep their hearts healthy.Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the BHF, said: "Mums and dads need to take the blinkers off about how active kids need to be in order to keep their hearts healthy.
"Kids need to get moving more, yet we've been standing still for the last decade."Kids need to get moving more, yet we've been standing still for the last decade.
"Children aren't really any more active than they were 10 years ago.""Children aren't really any more active than they were 10 years ago."
'Many barriers''Many barriers'
Dr Ian Campbell, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "Parents, carers and children should try and find ways of being active together, at home, at school and at play.Dr Ian Campbell, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "Parents, carers and children should try and find ways of being active together, at home, at school and at play.
"The barriers to increased activity are many, and complex."The barriers to increased activity are many, and complex.
"In addition to parents being more involved we need to ensure local councils are aware of the need to provide greater opportunity for all children to be more active, with better, more affordable sports facilities and safer, cleaner, well-lit streets.""In addition to parents being more involved we need to ensure local councils are aware of the need to provide greater opportunity for all children to be more active, with better, more affordable sports facilities and safer, cleaner, well-lit streets."
A Department of Heath spokesperson said: "Tackling childhood obesity is a priority for the government.A Department of Heath spokesperson said: "Tackling childhood obesity is a priority for the government.
"Emerging evidence suggests childhood obesity rates may be levelling off but they are still too high."Emerging evidence suggests childhood obesity rates may be levelling off but they are still too high.
"If we're going to turn the tide on obesity for good, our children need to be active for 60 minutes a day - including what they already do at school."If we're going to turn the tide on obesity for good, our children need to be active for 60 minutes a day - including what they already do at school.
"We are taking tough action and investing £372m to address obesity and to prevent people becoming overweight in the first place."We are taking tough action and investing £372m to address obesity and to prevent people becoming overweight in the first place.
"Many of the recommendations in Couch Kids have already been addressed in the government's obesity strategy and the PE and School Sport for Young People strategy.""Many of the recommendations in Couch Kids have already been addressed in the government's obesity strategy and the PE and School Sport for Young People strategy."