I agree that limiting their time on gadgets is a good idea but to point at this as the overall solution is not the panacea. I spent my youth glued to my Sinclair Spectrum and various other computers but still led had an active lifestyle. It’s simple – look at Mum and Dad and you will soon know how the kids will turn out. Lazy parents = lazy children.

You’d have to blame SOME parents too with poor food choices and opting for the easy way out as to keep the kids entertained.

Think the education system has a lot to answer for – a few hours of PE every week should be compulsory in the same way maths is – learning how to exercise and keeping our bodies fit is the most important thing we can ever learn! I was shocked to hear from my 10 year old cousin that their teacher had recently given out to a number of 9-10 year old boys for spending too much time at football training – she thought their homework should be the most important thing they do of an evening, not exercising!!

I do find it no surprise though that, mentioned in the above report, girls exercise the least – would this be anything to do with the fact that another report recently found that, when in secondary school, girls study more than boys and achieve higher grades in their LC? There are only so many hours in the day after all – sport needs to be introduced into our schools and treated the same way, if not more important than other core subjects, but not just football, it needs to be varied and it needs to be non-competitive with a focus on getting fit and making children care about their bodies!!

You can blame technology all you like but it really depends on the child’s interests.

My boys have access to games console’s, tablets, computer and tv but they love hurling and soccer. They would choose being outdoors playing hurling or soccer over playing the Xbox,Wii,tablet,3ds any day.

My daughter also has access to the above but only ever uses the laptop to Skype friends or study, she never goes on a games console she has no interest in them, she prefers horseriding or helping out at the local stables.

It really depends on the child’s interests, if they are a tech head then the only way to get a bit of exercise in them is making them walk or cycle to school and to get them to try new activities until they find something they like.

Fair enough, technology doesn’t help. Lack of physical education is also a problem but the problem starts at home. If the child’s parent/parents don’t encourage exercise your pissing into the breeze. Very easy to cut the plugs off electrical devices and I’m fairly confident not may kids like looking at a black screen and it’s up to parents to educate their children on the benefits of excerise

Hi paddy, what’s cspe and sphe?

Hi Oswald, they were two courses we did when I was in Secondary School, (about 6/7 years ago), C.S.P.E is Civic Social Political Education, I can’t actually remember what we did in that class, something about living in society, and then S.P.H.E is Social Political Health Education, again vague memories of this class but do remember awkwardness about learning the eh…..birds and the bees…

Ohhh sexy

I always thought it was
Small persons horn education.
Wrong again.

Totally agree Paddy. I know I didnt spend enough time on exercise in secondary school. An hour or so wasted each day on unnecessary subjects would be better spent exercising. There are some top of the range facilities in schools not being fully utilised. Not all students have the option to regularly exercise after school – homework, grinds, long daily commute can all get in the way. Healthier, fitter students make for better learners

Eating between meals and eating while walking isn’t totally unacceptable.

People on certain insulin regime’s are required to snack between meals, and to eat/drink something sugary while exercising/ walking to prevent their blood sugars from dropping too low.

Even people who aren’t diabetic may need a sugar boost when walking or exercising to prevent them from fainting.

To me moderation is the key, not abstinence. Ive also read somewhere that 5 small meals a day is better than 3 big meals.

Granted karla – but people with diabetes are the exception rather then the norm, in that case you are absolutely right.

The problem with obesity is that there is only one way to gain weight, consuming more then is appropriate.
Obese people are like trained eaters. It’s a real issue and people will often search for a medical explanation for obesity. Such explanations are very rare though.