Childhood obesity has been a huge issue in the Western world for the last few years, one which has not been helped by the COVID19 lockdown, so, could school fitness equipment be the answer to tackling the problem?
The issue of obesity in children is no small matter. Children who are obese are more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, not to mention an increased likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Obesity in people of all ages means that their overall health suffers, both mentally and physically, the ability to focus drops and the person will be likely to lack energy and self-esteem, which in turn makes them less likely to be fit and active.
The good news is that school fitness equipment can encourage a love of exercise from an early age.
Let’s start with the stats
The problem of childhood obesity has grown in recent years. The National Child Measurement Programme publication for 2018/19 reported that:
- For reception year, obesity prevalence was 9.7%, from 9.5% in 2017/18.
- For year 6, obesity prevalence was 20.2%, which was similar to 2017/18.
- Obesity prevalence was higher for boys than girls in both age groups.
- For children living in the most deprived areas obesity prevalence was more than double that of those living in the least deprived areas, for both reception and year 6.
And according to reports, childhood obesity has grown even worse this year, with the onset of COVID19.
Organisations, such as the global diabetes community, diabetes.co.uk claim that many children gained weight over the period of Coronavirus lockdown this year, because of the likelihood that they would eat and sleep more and exercise less.
With the schools closed, running around the school playground and using school fitness equipment briefly became a thing of the past and children have been unable to play with their friends, choosing instead to spend more time in front of their screens. But that could all change.
Turning the problem around
The installation of school fitness equipment will help to tackle the problem of childhood obesity. Not only does outdoor fitness equipment help increase fitness, but using the machines is enjoyable and fun, which encourages a positive image of exercise. In addition, children can socially interact with and challenge each other, while staying socially distanced.
Outdoor play areas should be appealing, fun and exciting, to keep children interested in physical activity. Making fitness fun means that children are likely to want to take part in exercise more often and therefore have a much-lowered risk of becoming obese. When exercise becomes part of the daily routine for the under tens, there’s every likelihood that this will continue on into the teenage years and adulthood.
A range of fitness equipment for schools
Types of exercise equipment which you’ll find in the school fitness equipment that we install, include the following machines:
- Children’s Waist Twister
- Children’s Leg Stretch
- Children’s Double Strength Challenger
- Children’s Health Walker
- Children’s Slalom Skier
- Children’s Horse Rider
- Children’s Rower
- Children’s SkyStepper
- Children’s Tai Chi Discs
- Children’s Arm Pedal Cycle
And there are prices to fit a whole range of school budgets, so why not book a free site visit, to find out more about how you could maximise the outdoor space in your school?
100% FREE Outdoor gym equipment for schools quote
The professional and friendly team at CJ Sport Surfaces has been installing children’s school fitness equipment for many years. Get a free quote from one of our outdoor gym equipment specialists today.