Lazy children 'are storing up problems in later life'

By JENNY HOPE

Last updated at 16:56 17 September 2007


Children face years of ill-health because they are not active enough, researchers say.

Scientists claim there is an epidemic of 'mini-couch potatoes' at risk of chronic health problems in later life.

Half of children do not get regular exercise, according to research funded by the British Heart Foundation.

It investigated activity levels among more than 3,500 pupils from five inner-city secondary schools in Leicester.

Only half the children walked to school and the same number spent four hours or more a day watching television or playing computer games.

Junk food, sedentary lifestyles and the 'electronic babysitters' of TV and computers are blamed for creating these couch potato

children.

At the same time, many children no longer take part in competitive sport at school.

The number of fat children has doubled in ten years and one in four children aged 11-15 years is classified as obese - so fat it threatens their health.

Professor Kamlesh Khunti of Leicester University, who led the study, said the need for obesity prevention measures was a 'major target' for the Government and health experts.

He said that inactive behaviour, such as watching television, may be a pointer to subsequent adult weight problems and obesity in children and adolescents.

"This study shows that overall the physical activity levels in inner city school children are very low," said Professor Khunti.

"Parents, schools and community health providers need to address the results of these findings to reduce their future risks of developing diabetes and heart disease in children."

He added that those of South Asian origin were at particular risk of both heart disease and diabetes.

Children of parents who suffer from these conditions were also at extra risk of developing them as a result of inactivity.

Dr Mike Knapton, of the British Heart Foundation, welcomed the study, saying: "Research like this will help us to better tailor health care and health education to today's multicultural UK."

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