References & Quotes

Here are just some of the articles we found which highlight current thinking on children's physical and mental health in contempory society. we don't promise that installing a swing in your garden is the total solution but it does offer your child a safe out-door activity.

The Importance of Unsupervised Play
Jenny Cunningham: Glasgow based paediatrician

It is through unregulated peer interactions, including coping with conflicts, that children develop many of their social skills and begin to acquire self-knowledge, as well as sensitivity to others. The intrusion of adults can only undermine children's self-discovery and their ability to deal with difficulties. Of course adults have a pivotal role in children's development. Quite apart from the central function of providing formal education, adults create the environment in which children grow up. They set standards and become role models, as well as providing children with encouragement and support.

But it is no less important that they stand back regularly and give children the space and time to get on with their own activities and engage in the peer group interactions that so greatly enhance their social, emotional and cognitive development.

http://www.generationyouthissues.org.uk/campaigns/free_play/The%20Importance%20of%20Unsupervised%20Play.htm

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Unsupervised Play is Good for Children
A study at the University College in London has shown that unsupervised play outside causes children to become healthier and more sociable. These days we are very cautious about letting our children out alone and many children under the age of eleven are not allowed out unaccompanied. Researchers claim that this can lead to obesity and a lack of independence. Children who go out on their bicycles or down to the park obviously get more exercise and fresh air as well as meeting with more people and having to deal with simple situations that may occur, such as talking to people, buying things in shops and crossing the road. Unfortunately there are often limited facilities available where parents feel safe letting their children go unaccompanied.
http://blogs.babiesonline.com/news/unsupervised-play-is-good-for-children/

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Keeping kids active: Ideas for parents
From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com

Children seem to become more sedentary every year, watching television and playing video games instead of biking to the playground or playing kickball in the backyard with their pals. Even schools have stopped emphasizing fitness. In some school districts, physical education has vanished completely because of underfunding.Kids need regular exercise to build strong bones and muscles. Exercise also helps children sleep well at night and stay alert during the day. Such habits established in childhood help adolescents maintain healthy weight despite the hormonal changes, rapid growth and social influences that often lead to overeating. And active children are more likely to become fit adults.As childhood has become more sedentary, children have put on weight and lots of it. In the past 30 years, the rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of children with type 2 diabetes, a disease once limited to sedentary, overweight adults.

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If possible provide outdoor activities for your child - sand, water, climbing, digging, planting etc. If this is not possible try to take your child to a local park or leisure centre regularly where activities are available to promote gross motor skills such as climbing, running, jumping, swimming, etc.

http://www.corkcitychildcare.ie/preview.php?fileName=parents&id=11&end=html


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www.bupa.co.uk

The number of overweight and obese children in the UK has risen steadily over the past 20 years. In 2004 it was estimated that 14 percent of boys and 17 percent of girls aged two to 15 were obese. .... An unhealthy diet combined with a lack of exercise are the main causes of childhood obesity. High-calorie foods such as chocolates, sweets and fast food are cheap and readily available to children. Alongside this, physical activity and exercise are no longer a part of most children's days - some children never walk or cycle to school or play sport. Instead, many of them spend hours in front of a television or computer ... Children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of 10 boys and six out of 10 girls don't reach this target.

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In the United States, the percentage of overweight or obese children has doubled over the past 30 years to 25 per cent of the under-19 population.

http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/227.cfm

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The global obesity epidemic has officially reached Irish shores. It is estimated that there are over 300,000 overweight and obese children in Ireland and this is expected to rise by 10,000 per year. Ireland is one of five European countries, along with England, Cyprus, Sweden and Greece, which have reported overweight and obesity levels exceeding 20 per cent among children aged 7-11.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/childhood-obesity-here-will-soon-be-as-bad-as-in-the-us-125894.html

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'overweight and obesity is now the most common childhood disorder in Europe'
Irish Heart Foundation