OBESITY FEAR FOR PUPILS ‘TOO FAT TO RUN’
EXCLUSIVE: Judy Murray says schools need radical overhaul
SCOTLAND’S schoolchildren are facing an obesity timebomb, according to one of the most influential figures in UK sport.
Judy Murray has called for a ‘radical change’ in the country’s approach to physical education.
The mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie said she was
‘heartbroken’ at visiting schools and seeing pupils who do not know how to run, jump or catch a ball.
She was speaking about her grass roots initiative Tennis On The Road, in which she teaches the sport to parents, coaches, teachers and volunteers.
Last week, a Food Standards Scotland report showed children eat more than their body weight a year in biscuits and snacks.
Mrs Murray, 58, said: ‘When I see seven-year-olds who can’t run, jump, hop or catch a ball it’s heartbreaking. And the really frightening thing is that this isn’t rare.
‘I see children from Primary 3 onwards and there are many more much older than that who are also unco-ordinated and overweight. It’s not a case of simply developing physical skills they’ve grown up with, some children have literally never learned to run.
‘How sad is that? No wonder we’re becoming a nation of unco-ordinated fatties.’
Mrs Murray, of Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, believes parents and schools need to stop wrapping children in cotton wool.
She said: ‘We are so protective of kids now. When I was a child we created our own games and developed good physical skills. Toddlers should be encouraged to run and jump and throw themselves about and enjoy the confidence and freedom that comes with that.’
Mrs Murray thinks the solution lies in after-school sports clubs. She said: ‘Make them part and parcel of school life so it’s harder to opt out.
‘Schools already have the facilities and equipment and volunteer parents could support the workforce, so all we need now is a change in the way funding is invested to get this implemented across Scotland.
‘Look at Norway and its brilliant
‘We need to stop being so politically correct’
haul of medals at the Winter Olympics. They were a by-product of the country’s brilliant philosophy of investing money for sport in local sports clubs.
‘Ninety-three per cent of children in Norway attend these clubs. What would it do to Scotland’s health if we could reach that target?’
Mrs Murray also called on people to tackle obesity openly, saying: ‘We need radical change and to stop being so politically correct because fat is killing people, no matter how politely we put it. I’m not into fat-shaming but we need to face it, to help children not gain weight and those who are overweight to lose it.
‘This is a huge problem but the answers are there. Start with our youngest children and get them active and eating healthily. Invest in them properly and pull teenagers and adults into activity. We’ve talked long enough. It’s time for action.’
Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘Judy Murray is spot on – childhood obesity levels are rising year on year and we need to take drastic action. The Government needs to make sure children get far more exercise at school.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Our investment in school sport has seen an increase in children doing two hours or periods of PE per week from less than 10 per cent in 2004-05 to 98 per cent in 2016. This is backed up by £50 million investment in the Active Schools programme.’