Survey results reveal activity levels of children in Leicester-Shire & Rutland

• Across Leicester-Shire & Rutland 43.7% of children lead active lives, doing an average of 60 or more minutes of physical activity a day. Nationally the figure is 43.3%

• Across Leicester-Shire & Rutland, among active children, only the most active 16.9% are meeting the CMO guidelines of 60+ minutes activity a day, every day of the week. Nationally this figure is 17.5%.

• Across Leicester-Shire & Rutland, 33.3% of children are less active which means they do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Nationally this figure is 32.9%.

New national research published by Sport England today (06.12.18) and co-ordinated locally by Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, reveals the scale of the challenge to help Leicester-Shire & Rutland's children be more active.

Active Lives Children and Young People is the largest ever survey of its kind and provides comprehensive insight into how children in Leicester-Shire & Rutland are taking part in sport and physical activity both in and out of school.

The national report is based on responses from over 130,000 children aged 5-16 in England during the academic year 2017 to 2018. It also reveals that there are significant national inequalities based on family income.

It shows that children from the most affluent families are more active than those in the least affluent families. 39% of children in the least affluent families do less than 30 minutes of activity a day compared with 26% of children from the most affluent families.

77% of children can swim 25 metres unaided by the time they leave primary school. However, 86% of children from the most affluent families can swim 25m unaided compared to only 42% from the least affluent families.

There is not a lot of difference in the amount of sport and physical activity that takes place inside school, compared to activity levels outside of school, so both have a critical role to play. 28% of children are active in school for at least 30 minutes per day while 22% of children are active outside of school. Across Leicester-Shire & Rutland, 28% of children are active in school for at least 30 minutes per day whilst 21% are active outside of school.

The survey also covers the 'outcomes' of sport and activity and helps to show the links between being active and the mental wellbeing of children as well as their personal development and that of their community. The opportunity to see more of these benefits by helping more children to be active enough is clear.

Commenting, Geoff Maltby, Sports Development Manager and Children & Young People Lead at Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport said: "These local figures show us that we still have a long way to go to ensure that Leicester-Shire & Rutland is the most sporting and physically active place in England.

"Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport is committed to working collaboratively with our schools, Local Authorities, Public Health and other local partners and organisations to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to be regularly physically active for the benefit of their health and wellbeing through a variety of programmes and campaigns."

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport are currently working with Leicestershire County Council Public Health, our School Sport & Physical Activity Networks and our schools to deliver a 'Whole School Approach to PE, School Sport and Physical Activity'. This includes the development of a new 15 minute activity programme in Schools – the Daily Boost. Alongside the 'Make your Move' campaign, to raise greater awareness of the recommended physical activity guidelines for children and young people.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive at Sport England said: "Parents, schools, the sport and leisure industry and government all have a role to play in addressing and increasing childhood activity. This research is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and is a big wake-up call for all of us. We all care about the health and wellbeing of our children. These results tell us that what is currently being done to support them is not enough and change is required.

"We know that lots of factors affect behaviour and there is no single answer to the problem but listening to young people and what they want is the best starting point. In March we will publish the first results of our research on the attitudes of children to sport and activity, showing what they like about being active."

Dr Alison Tedstone, Public Health England Head of Diet, Obesity and Physical Activity said: "Physical activity is crucial for good physical and mental health of children and young people - this work is a timely reminder for everyone to do more to help them be more active."

Understanding the barriers, motivations and attitude of young people towards sport and physical activity is a key part of providing solutions that meet their needs. Sport England will be releasing a second report due in March 2019, highlighting children's attitudes to sport and physical activity."