‘Children’s play needs to be priority for new Government’
CHILDREN’S play needs to be a priority for the next UK Government if the country stands any chance of reducing obesity levels, a charity claims.
Play Wales, a charity funded by the Welsh Government, says Westminster needs to follow Wales’ example by adopting a “play policy” and legislating for children’s play.
Latest figures show that around one child in four is overweight or obese, with the problem more severe in disadvantaged areas.
More than a quarter of children (26.2%) aged four to five years old in reception year were classified as overweight or obese in Wales in 201516.
In its new manifesto ahead of the General Election, Play Wales is calling on all political parties to recognise that having time, freedom and good places for playing are of “paramount importance” to their health.
A spokesman for the charity said: “The manifesto is based on the growing body of solid evidence that supports both the long-term and immediate benefits of providing for children’s play.
“Studies show that the long-term health benefits of playing include boosting physical activity levels, which helps to tackle child obesity, and supporting children to become more resilient.
“Play initiatives also benefit the community by encouraging neighbourliness and improved community cohesion.
“The General Election provides us all with an opportunity to highlight our asks for play in Wales.”
Play Wales claims playtime is just as effective as sport and PE programmes in boosting physical activity levels.
It also warns that the UK needs to address barriers to playing, including planning, traffic, housing and open space.
Their manifesto concluded: “We call on the UK Government to follow successive Welsh Governments’ lead, which, with all party support, have taken an international lead in adopting a Play Policy and more recently legislating for children’s play in Wales; the first government in the world to do so, for which Wales rightly receives continued wide acclaim.””