This report by Northumbria University calls for more support for schools to fix the broken school food system and boost children’s physical activity in order to tackle issues such as childhood obesity and food insecurity.
The report outlined overwhelming evidence that the health of children and young people in the UK is getting worse and children’s education, as well as physical and mental wellbeing, is being impacted by inactivity and unhealthy diets.
The report focuses on how both the Government and Opposition can reset their vision for children, to put the life chances of young people at the heart of policy making and delivery.
According to the report, statistics show that 2.2million 5–16-year-olds do not get 30 minutes of activity a day and that this physical inactivity is costing the UK an estimated £7.4billion every year.
The findings of the report also outline that young people from the most deprived backgrounds are the least likely to be active with only 44% achieving 60 minutes of physical exercise daily. This is being compounded by the current cost of living crisis which is impacting on purchasing decisions and leading people to cut back on nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, dairy and eggs.