The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Children

Obesity is a grave concern in the US and elsewhere.  But we seem to be growing fatter as a nation.  Obesity among the student population seems to be growing.  According to studies done by the CDC in 2012, more than one third of all children and adults are overweight or obese.  This is an 18 % increase from the 1980s.

Obesity can lead to all sorts of health issues i.e. cardiovascular disease, high risk of developing diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension, bone and joint problems and the like.  In order to effectively deal with the situation campaigns to promote physical activity and outdoor play should be the focus.  With inventions like the television and computers youth are spending more time in front of a screen than getting their daily required amount of activity.  Physical activity amongst children are still falling well short of recommended levels.

In places like Scotland they are actively taking measures to get their school aged children involved in more outdoor play.  According to Professor Reilly of Strathclyde’s School of Psychological Sciences and Health, led a study called Unplug and Play, where he concluded that time spent at screens far more than what is recommended is harmful to children’s health and academic attainment.  Children should be playing outdoors more often.

“Play benefits children in helping them to develop socially and emotionally, so promoting active outdoor play would have many benefits in addition to improving physical activity, improving academic attainment, and reducing obesity.”   Also according to research conducted  by Burdette and Whittaker, 2005, children who play outdoors regularly become fitter and leaner. It is also the best way to get Vitamin D.  They develop stronger immune systems.  They have more imaginative play and play more creatively.  We need to implement similar strategies in schools here in the US in order to win the fight of childhood obesity and better academic performance.