The number of overweight and obese children in the UK has risen steadily over the last 20 years and is now at epidemic levels.
Figures vary but it is estimated that at least a quarter of 11 to 15 year olds are overweight or obese, and the problem is escalating year on year.
Obesity is caused by two simple facts: an unhealthy diet, which is high in sugar and fat, coupled with a lack of exercise.
Quite simply, our children and young people aren’t getting enough exercise to burn off the calories accumulated through poor diets.
The long-term effects of childhood obesity are chilling and include increased risks of certain cancers, heart attacks and strokes, and diabetes.
We all know what a cruel place the playground can be and, psychologically, overweight children are always going to find themselves on the end of taunts and bullying.
So, what to do? Speak to any dietician and they will tell you it is not advisable to put a child on an aggressive diet.
Clearly, children should be weaned off the fatty and sugary food, but the key to ensuring a healthy lifestyle is exercise.
Recently the government’s Chief Medical Officer recommended that children should be doing a minimum of one hour’s moderate physical activity a day.
The Consortium, the UK’s leading independent provider of equipment to schools, has a huge range of sports equipment, from top-of-the-range branded sporting goods through to mid-cost and budget lines, offering you an unrivalled one-stop shop to help keep your pupils fit and active.
View our extensive range of school PE equipment.