Strategy to increase activity for city’s children

ONLY HALF of the children in Leeds are getting their recommended one hour of physical activity a day, according to a new report.

Leeds City Council, which published the report, said it is introducing a range of measures to help encourage people to live more active lifestyles in response to the pandemic, including a booklet with advice for those who have been asked to shield.

The document, entitled Active Leeds and Physical Activity Ambition Update, stated: “Physical activity levels have flattened off in recent years and have significantly reduced due to the impact of Covid-19.

“Some groups in the population have been disproportionally affected including women, young people, disabled people, those with a long term health condition and those from a Black or Asian background.”

It added that the most recent surveys of people in Leeds show more than a quarter of adults in the city are classed as “inactive”, while “only 50 per cent of children in Leeds achieve the recommended one hour of physical activity a day.”

The report found that many people from wealthier backgrounds were more likely to be physically active, adding that the pandemic has “widened health inequalities”.

It added: “Lockdowns and social isolation were much more harmful to people without access to gardens and this will have impacted on levels of physical activity and wellbeing.

“It also pointed out that being active outside can have a more positive mental health impact than other kinds of exercise. It is evident that there are a range of inequalities in physical activity levels and action is needed to address these.”