Eye-Opening SPORT ENGLAND STUDY SHOWS ACTIVITY INEQUALITIES
December 7, 2018
A new study from UK sport organization and thinkBeyond client, Sport England, has found alarming inequalities in youth activity levels across gender and family income following an unprecedented online survey of 130,000 five to 16-year-olds.
The “Active Lives Children and Young People Survey” shows that around 3 million children (43.3%) lead active lives, however of that group, only 1.2 million (17.5%) are meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines of more than 60 minutes of daily activity.
The survey is the largest ever of its kind and shows significant inequalities in activity levels, based on family income, gender and ethnic background.
In total, 39% of children in the least affluent families do fewer than 30 minutes of activity a day, compared to 26% of children from the most affluent families. It also re-iterates that boys are more inclined to be active than girls with the gender gap increasing with age, primarily from the end of primary school.
Ipsos MORI independently conducted the survey which, also covers the ‘outcomes’ of sport and activity and helps to show the benefits of being active on both the physical and mental wellbeing of children, and on their personal development and that of their community.
These benefits increase as children are helped to be more active and Sport England chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, declared that now is the time for action.
“I am calling for a national focus on the health and wellbeing of our nation’s children and for the whole system to be united in delivering change. Our children deserve better and Sport England is determined to play its part,” he said.
Beyond Sport is proud to partner with organizations dedicated to providing sports programming to keep all youth active. Here are a few of the UK projects that the Beyond Sport Foundation has supported over the years:
Imagine Your Goals - Everton in the Community
Everton in the Community offers a free fitness programme to local youth who are living with mental health issues, providing an opportunity to talk about their problems and seek help and support in a familiar environment.
HITZ - Premiership Rugby
HITZ uses rugby’s core values to get young people not in education, training or employment back into education, training, apprenticeships and/or employment. The program is delivered nationally by England’s 12 professional rugby clubs.
Get Out Get Active - Activity Alliance
Activity Alliance’s initiative promotes inclusivity where disabled and non-disabled people can enjoy being active together -- allowing some of the UK's least active people to get moving through fun and inclusive activities.
Burnley FC in the Community
Burnley FC in the Community runs over 35 community projects addressing unemployment, crime, barriers to housing and services, disability, health, lack of education and training and low-income households in the region.