What's causing our children to expand in front of ourt very eyes? What can we do to promote a healthy body weight for kids and stem the tide of childhood obesity? Here's what over 80 SmartShape subscribers had to say in our August-September survey.Read on for the summary, results and survey graphs.
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Who responded?
84 people of which 84% were female
Age group:
8.5% < 18 years
23% - 18-24 years
26% - 25-34 years
22% - 35-44 years
20% - 45-54
1% > 55 years
Age group split evenly over the 18-54 years range.
Number of children:
None - 47%
One - 10%
Two - 31%
Three - 7%
Four - 0%
Five - 1%
Six or more - 4%
What are the factors causing kids to be inactive?
Your resounding view (76%) was that television viewing is the culprit. Half pointed the finger at inactive parents, with slightly less targeting computers (46%), video/computer games (44%) and busy parents (42%).
How could we help kids become more active?
Parents active as role models came out well ahead with 84% choosing this option. Compulsory school physical activity sessions rated second (59%), followed by after school sessions (50%) and a national physical activity education campaign (37%).
Who should pay?
The top responses were split between government grants (29%) and parents (28%). Taxing junk foods was an option for 18%, with funding from school fees at a low 5%.
Additional ideas for active kids?
Over thirty people offered extra thoughts about how to get our kids moving. A common concern was the competitiveness of sport as a turn-off for children's participation. One person wanted kids to enjoy themselves and not feel inferior or unattractive. Another asked, “Are not competitive children already involved in sports?”
There was a strong suggestion that family health must become a priority for parents, and that sacrifices may need to be made in terms of money and time to make regular activity a priority. “Children don't think of the consequences (ie. long term health benefits) so we have to make physical activity fun and a normal part of family life.” Getting out side on the weekends could be part of this. “Go to the beach, park, kick a ball, ride a bike, hire a tennis court, etc.” But perhaps the simplest action, “Get a trampoline!! My kids spend ages after school playing on it and I don't even have to encourage them to do so.”
Here's a list of other ideas offered:
- Fitness groups led by teens (peer support)
- Activities led by parents
- Fitness instructors visiting schools and clubs to talk to children about the need for activity.
- Affordable activities, as cost can be prohibitive
- Rewards for being active, no matter how small the amount done
- Access to well trained coaches
- Walk or ride to school with your children
- Get outside on weekends and play
Here are the details:SurveyMonkey.com - The easiest way to create online surveys.
