A healthy future?

Picture by pbkwee

I sometimes feel that we have a strange relationship with sport.  Each week stadiums are packed and during big events sporting fever can grip the nation.  So highly do we as a society value our sports stars that some earn staggering amounts of money and companies clamour to pay them more to endorse their products.

But when it comes to participation the same fever doesn’t grip us.  We have ever growing levels of obesity and the associated health problems those bring, and this is just part of a general trend rather than an isolated group.  In 2013 just 34% of the population in the UK were considered to be a healthy weight.

Most of us know we should do more exercise and be a bit more active.  We all want to live long and healthy lives.  The government certainly would like us to do more.  The glory and good will generated from sporting triumphs are not underestimated by any of the leading politicians.  But it isn’t just about the elite athletes, some studies have estimated that the cost to the NHS of treating conditions associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyles are in the region of £6 billion and this doesn’t account for any of the wider costs to the economy of these illnesses.

So why don’t we get involved in the things so many of us clearly love?

This is a complex issue, but one clear finding that has been shown is that physically active children are more likely to grow up to be physically active adults.  Therefore developing a healthy attitude towards sport and physical activity for young people should be one of the foundation stones of building a healthier society. 

It is sad that with this thought in mind the Department for Education continues its misguided approach to physical education.  In its advice to teachers on disciplining pupils it recommends that physical activity should be used as a punishment.  Sending the clear message to all youngsters that it is something to be avoided if and when possible.

Until sport and physical activity is seen as fun, enjoyable and inclusive, the odds of the wave of poor statistics on the nation’s health reversing are pretty slim.