A study of 38 nations placed Scotland joint-second for national policy on physical activity and joint-fourth for a safe and accessible environment for activity. However, it was ranked joint-last for physical activity and time spent in front of screens.
It found that parental protection often restricted opportunities for children in Scotland to be physically active, while competition from sedentary and screen-based pursuits was also a major factor.
The global study, the Active Healthy Kids Report Card, recommends greater evaluation of the way physical activity policy is implemented in Scotland. It also calls for enhanced measurement and monitoring of children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Professor John Reilly, of Strathclyde’s School of Psychological Sciences and Health, led the study in Scotland. He said: “Scotland has one of the world’s very best natural environments, facilities offering ideal conditions for physical activity and much has been done to develop policies which encourage children to take part.
However, there still appears to be a culture of low physical activity in Scotland. A lack of freedom for children to play, combined with a wide range of sedentary alternatives, are a major barrier to children becoming more active – in the case of Scotland, it could be said that we have built it but they have not come.
“It is completely understandable that parents want to protect their children as much as they can but giving children more freedom to play, especially outdoors, can help to build their confidence, autonomy and resilience. They can also learn to solve problems, develop skills and learn their limits; parents can lead their children by example in all this.
“There are examples of this issue being dealt with in other nations. In Slovenia, for example, primary schools offer access to nearly 80 minutes of in-school, professionally-supported physical activity each day. In Denmark, it is compulsory to receive 45 minutes of physical activity per school day.”
The nations assessed in the study were graded, from A to F, on nine common indicators: Overall Physical Activity, Organised Sport Participation, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behaviours, Family and Peers, School, Community and the Built Environment, and Government Strategies and Investments.
The Active Healthy Kids Scotland Report Card is funded by Inspiring Scotland and the Robertson Trust.
The findings of the Active Healthy Kids Report Card were presented at the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health in Bangkok on Wednesday, 16 November.
Links
Read about Active Healthy Kids worldwide and in Scotland: More at www.activehealthykids.org and www.activehealthykidsscotland.co.uk