Are kids fatter because they're not allowed out?
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Could your children be getting overweight because you're too frightened to let them play out? New research suggests that might be the case.
What does the study say?
Research by Vitabiotics Wellkid found that around ¾ of parents of 4-12 year olds don't even like to let their children of their sight, blaming the obesity crisis on the fact that they can't let their kids outside to play. The survey found that parents in Birmingham, Cardiff and Newcastle were most protective.
What are they doing instead of playing outside?
Nearly 1 in 3 children spend more then 2 hours a day watching TV, playing video games and using the computer. A goodtoknow poll last year found that almost 4 out of 5 families have some kind of games console in their homes.
Past studies have also suggested that children are becoming less intelligent because they spend so much time watching the TV and playing video games instead of actively using their brains.
Are there other reasons that children are overweight?
The research also shows that children are starting to get unhealthy ideas about diet.
Almost 1 in 3 mothers said their child had talked or expressed concern about their own weight, while nearly half of 11 and 12-year-olds worry about how heavy they are. This ties in to the rise in the number of girls admitted to hospital suffering from anorexia over the last 10 years.
Doesn't what kids eat have an impact?
Children are also managing to pester their parents into giving them sweet treats and fizzy drinks as rewards for good behaviour - not that surprising as 71% of parents say that they do usually work.
What do the experts say?
Child Psychologist, Dr Richard Woolfson said: 'There's no doubt that play patterns have changed dramatically in recent years. Whereas energetic free-play outdoors used to be the typical activity in childhood, such opportunities are rare now, largely because of parental fears about their child's safety.'
What should we do differently?
Experts say that arranging for your children to have just a few more minutes exercise each day, like walking to school or going cycling, can make a big difference. Setting a good example to them by eating healthily yourself, and encouraging them to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, will also help.
Last week's news: Are kids' cough medicines unsafe?
Where to next?
Is childhood obesity out of control?
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More information
By Katie McPhillimy
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