Educational Tools

Research

The proof is on the playground. Many teachers, coaches and parents are witnessing the current kids’ health crisis firsthand. Children are playing less and eating more. Their waistlines are widening and their habits are worsening. And the research supports these trends too.

Consider the Healthy Active Kids Report Card data, which you can download below. The most recent 2014 report gave South African children a D grade overall, which has dropped from a C- in the 2010 report, this means that:

• At least half of South African children are not active enough; they are active for less than an hour a day.
• Less than half of urban children take part in an organised sport or recreational activity.
• Most children spend almost three hours a day watching TV; this time increases over weekends.
• Obesity among children continues to increase – the intake of sugary drinks is a major contributor.
• More than two thirds of youngsters eat fast food at least three times a week.
• Only 50% of children eat enough fruit and vegetables.
• Less than half of children meet the recommendations on salt intake.
• The regulations on food advertising to children scored an “F-”.

Clearly the proof is in the numbers too. It’s time we started changing them.