We all know that taking part in sport can benefit our health, but what may be less well known is how vital it is that we kick-start this early on in life.
If we are to improve our nation’s health and wellbeing, encouraging children to become physically active is something we must not underestimate the significance of.
Currently, Wales is facing significant challenges when it comes to public health. We have the highest obesity rates for both adults and children of all the countries in the UK, with 58% of adults classified as overweight or obese. For children, this figure sits at 35%, with one in 10 obese when they start school.
We also have the highest rate of long-term limiting illness in the UK and many of these conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer, are linked to lifestyle choices.
This doesn’t just affect us as individuals. The impact of leading inactive and unhealthy lives places a significant strain on the NHS – a musim that is only predicted to get worse in the coming years.
Our population is ageing and people have increasingly complex needs. This comes at a time when the health service is facing financial difficulties and feeling the impact of austerity.
Therefore the consequences of poor lifestyle choices make delivering care even more difficult for those in NHS Wales.
What is vital to achieving the culture shift that is required are children. If we can get young people interested in physical activity, it is more likely that they will take these behaviors with them into adulthood. It really is a case of the sooner, the better.
This is why research like ’ School Sport Survey are so important. We must keep an eye on trends and look at where we are doing well and where further work is needed.
The last survey found that 50% more children are taking part in sport and physical activity regularly than two years ago, with the number of children taking part in physical activity three times a week or more rising from 27% in 2011 to 40% in 2013. I am hopeful that the next survey will bring further positive results.
For me, increasing the levels of participation in sport and physical exercise could have one of the biggest positive impacts on society’s future demand for healthcare services and the sustainability of our health service.
The provision of physical activity for all children can improve the health of our population, help sustain our health service and reduce the inequalities we see in our society. We must all play our part to achieve this.
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