| Natasha Wood | The Bugs Group |
In response to the article ‘Childhood obesity – Government blasted over new ‘watered down’ strategy’ by Andy Richards, we believe that more needs to be done for the next generation of children – and to put a stop to Childhood Obesity.
The general consensus is that the Government is not doing enough to end this endemic. The ‘watered-down strategy’ in question is not and cannot currently provide the results that we so desperately need in order to seriously improve the health of overweight and obese children. These children are at risk of developing multiple health issues that will affect the rest of their lives. We believe we need to help these families.
To a child, who is vulnerable and very impressionable, they just want to do and eat what they enjoy. It is frightening that in this day and age that kids are being encouraged to stay in to play on their iPads whilst snacking on an immense choice of ‘goodies’ – and all still encouraged by big companies.
We want to educate children on how to live a happy and most importantly healthy life, by changing their attitude to exercise. Children need to know how to look after their bodies by eating well and keeping fit. We want children to know that exercising can be the best fun that they have ever had.
Here at The Bugs Group, we have devoted our careers on doing just that – to come up with such a balance of fun and fitness. Our ‘Eureka!’ moment was recognising that by combining story-telling with exercise, children didn’t even realise they are having a work out.
The Bugs Group – which currently consists of YogaBugs, FootieBugs and DanceBugs – lies in the heart of Birmingham and has expanded out to the rest of the country.
For this strategy to really work, well you know what they say, “…it takes a village”. It must be everyone’s responsibility to make it happen. We want to work together with the schools and nurseries around the country to address the problem and reinforce the aim of this strategy.
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In a recent statement, Dr Adrian Phillips Birmingham Director of Public Health stated that;
“Towns and cities across the UK, face a childhood obesity problem and there is no simple solution….
…we recognise there is a wider problem that will not be addressed overnight…
…We can only tackle this issue if individuals, parents and grandparents, councils, health professionals and the Government work together for the good of our children… we’re also looking at a range of measures, including increased opportunities for physical activity.”
In another a statement by the Public Health Minister Nicola Blackwood, it was vowed that;
“This Government is absolutely committed to reducing childhood obesity and one of the best ways to do this is to boost sports in schools.”
Here at The Bugs Group, we fully support the driving force behind these statements and we want to emphasise how there should be better opportunities for physical activity within schools. We want to engage more children in exercise that they truly enjoy, as well as increasing confidence, enhancing social interaction, raising attainment back in the classroom and most of all, making children happier and healthier.
Almost 1 in 5 children are overweight or obese when they start primary school. This rises to 1 in 3 by the time they leave primary school… Based on current trends, half of all children will be obese or overweight by 2020.”
– Obesity Health Alliance.
Yet more shocking statistics which show that we need to act now, and also earlier. The key to the problem is not just treating the symptoms, but eliminating the cause. We aim to work within the Early Years and develop a real love for exercise from a young age. We hope to get children involved in sports through choice, and to make sports all-inclusive for all abilities, and to fit well within family life.
To find out more about the programmes we run to help defeat childhood obesity,
visit us at
