children are turning into couch potatoes
forsa study shows that every third child in Germany doesn’t play sports
Children are spending increasingly more time in front of the PC or watching television – at the expense of sports and exercise. Every third child in Germany has not the slightest interest in sports or leisure activities. This is the result of a forsa study on behalf of the children’s shoe brand Elefanten conducted in January 2008. The survey covering almost 800 parents with at least one child under 18 confirm, what scientists have long warned about: German children are more and more turning into couch potatoes. Apparently kindergartens and schools are contributing increasing less to compensate this deficit.
Essen, 30th January 2008. "I regard the fact that children do less and less sports as a dangerous development, because sport is an elementary factor for a healthy body and soul", explains Professor Dr. Klaus Bös from the Institute for Sports and Sports Science of the University of Karlsruhe. He too made the following discoveries in a study: the mobility of our children has significantly fallen over the last 30 years. "Boys, for example jump about 12 cm, girls even 17 cm less from a standing position than 30 years ago", says Bös.
In general, children’s interest in doing sports and exercises is continuously declining. The forsa study shows, that almost 60 percent of all children play no or less than an hour of sports a day. Even playing boisterously in fresh air is no longer a favourite of the young ones. 36 percent of all children are playing less than an hour outside. And 12 percent never do it.
Nowadays, children love to watch television or use their computers in their spare time. Almost 40 percent spend at least one hour or more with electronic devices. Although it is a known fact: "Too much television promotes overweight", explains Professor Dr. Bös. Every third child unde twelve is already too fat.
Ball games are the children’s number one
Those children, who play sports, still love ball games the best. The Elefanten study shows that every second sport-loving child is devoted to football, handball, volleyball or other ball games. The next most favourite sports are swimming (28 percent) and gymnastics (26 percent).
Parents, who spend time exercising and playing sports with their children obviously have a positive effect. Particular favourites are outdoor activities such as hiking, going for walks or cycling. 74 percent of parents, who spend outdoor time with their children, decide in favour of these activities. However, ball games such as football and tennis (46 percent) and activities involving the playground (41 percent) are very popular.
Parents want interesting and varied PE training
One problem many parents have in common is a lack of time, making it difficult for them to take care of their children’s sports and exercises. Nowadays, most women are no longer exclusively in charge of household and family; many of them have a full-time or part-time job. This double burden of working mothers inevitably curtails any time for playing together or joint activities and sports. That is why it is so important for parents that kindergartens and schools provide adequate sports activities.
57 percent of all parents are looking for interesting and varied PE training. 53 percent would like to see attractive playing areas attached to their children’s kindergarten or schoolyard. The reality, however, is quite different: schools provide less and less sports activities. Moreover, the creatity of the PE training also leaves a lot to be desired. “Most schools over the past years have invested in computers and internet connections, however, gyms and sports equipment, has been sadly neglected”, says Andreas Ernst, Privy Councillor of the Authority for Education & Sport in Hamburg.
Elefanten is now standing up for more sports in kindergartens and day nurseries. On the occasion of its 80th anniversary, the children’s shoe brand has launched an award for sport friendly kindergartens. The most sport friendly kindergartens in Germany will be awarded cash prices totalling Euro 15,000.
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