Schools will go extra mile to tackle obesity
SCHOOLS in Macclesfield have joined a campaign to tackle childhood obesity.
Upton Priory, Hollinhey, Ivy Bank, Nether Alderley, Park Royal and Prestbury primary schools have join the Daily Mile initiative, which encourages children to run or walk a mile each day.
The campaign aims to improve the physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances.
It comes after the Express revealed childhood obesity in Macclesfield has hit shocking levels. Statistics from Public Health England reveals that in one in seven children are obese when they leave primary school, aged 10 or 11.
The data also highlights one in every 15 children aged four or five are obese when they start school.
It means hundreds of youngsters in the town and surrounding villages risk serious health problems in later life such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Steve Kendrick, Headteacher at Upton Priory, said, the Daily Mile will help achieve his target of providing 30 minutes of physical activity to every pupil, every day, as part of the Childhood Obesity Strategy.
He said: “The Daily Mile is a whole school approach which means that every pupil will get an extra 15 minutes of physical activity per day - in addition to existing PE lessons and school sport programmes. It can be easily implemented. It is school led and can be done at a time of the teacher’s choosing. Children do not need to change and it is inclusive of all children and staff.”
Backing Daily Mile campaign Macclesfield MP David Rutley urged every school in the town to play their part in tackling obesity.
He said: “It is a simple but effective concept, which any primary school can implement. Its impact can be transformational - improving not only the children’s fitness, but their concentration levels, mood, behaviour and general wellbeing. I am a great advocate of the initiative and would like to see every primary school in the Macclesfield constitu- ency take part.”
Daily Mile is just one initiative being promoted by Active Cheshire, which promotes fitness in the county.
Anne Boyd, its chief executive, said: “It is criti- cal that we introduce and embed active habits amongst children in their formative years.”