We’re ignoring easy ways to encourage children to be physically active

As we prepare to settle down on our sofas to watch the latest generation of Olympians and Paralympians perform jaw-dropping feats of physical prowess, the irony won’t be lost on many of us – especially if we are watching with children.

In May, the World Health Organization once again made it clear that the majority of adolescents globally don’t get enough exercise, and children in England and Wales are among the most inactive in the world. As with many other issues, the finger of blame here is often pointed at screens. But the reality, as we explore in one part of our special issue on exercise, (see “How much exercise do children really need – and what type?”), is more complex.

It is true that time spent in front of TVs, iPads and other devices competes with opportunities for physical activity. We also know that there are many benefits to spending time outdoors, in nature and connecting with others that children miss out on when glued to screens. But there are lots of other reasons why children are inactive – and in many cases, these are issues that can be easily remedied.

Earlier this year, we reported that school uniforms may be contributing to the problem by being too restrictive, which could be addressed simply with a change in uniform policy. Meanwhile, the emphasis on competitive or elite sports in schools can strip the joy from physical activity, putting off many children.

This is especially true for girls, with disparities in physical activity by gender emerging at a very young age and widening dramatically when children enter senior school. The causes of this enjoyment gap include period problems and embarrassment about how they are performing in front of boys. Offering single-sex sports sessions and focusing more on activity and play, rather than competition, would go a long way to help.

So while events like the Olympics and Paralympics can be inspiring, we should shift the dialogue away from competitive sport and exercise in favour of activity, which is much easier to fit into daily life and can be fun and accessible for all.