A new BJPH study from the Born in Bradford (BiB) research programme paints a more troubling picture. As a result, unnecessary school polices are preventing most children in Bradford from even accessing outdoor playtime. The remaining seven are focused on the health, development and well-being of mothers and children, beginning in pregnancy. The report reveals some very troubling trends in children’s physical activity levels.
As the BiB programme has been rigorously following data collection and observing health and educational effects longitudinally for 18 years, they have done just this. Recent research indicates that 34% of children ages 7 to 12 never play outdoors on a school day. On top of that, 20% decide not to go outside on weekends. These startling statistics come from the actual observation of 2,568 children across the city.
Dr. Mark Ferguson, the lead researcher of the Born in Bradford programme, emphasized the critical nature of outdoor play for children’s overall development. He stated,
“Outdoor play is essential for children’s growth and development.”
Dr. Ferguson indicated that reduced activity outside is having the opposite effect. Yet losing the ability to play outdoors has been associated with a host of health problems, said Reilly—including childhood obesity, anxiety and depression.
In addition to Dr. Ferguson’s insights, Prof. Rosie McEachan, director of the BiB programme, highlighted the importance of outdoor play for children’s mental health. She remarked that the findings illustrate how critical it is for children to “get off their screens and play outdoors after school and at weekends.”
One major program, the BiB research program, is a treasure trove of information about how Bradford’s children are changing and developing. It emphasizes the effects of these shifts on their health and wellness. Schoolchildren’s ability to play outdoors is greatly diminished, this being perhaps the biggest hurdle. It is essential that local authorities, schools and parents work in unity to encourage healthier lifestyles for our children.
