Are medal-winning sports people inspiring children?

    It’s a freezing November evening and I’m in a sports centre in Kilmarnock.

    I’m here with the Bias family – who are attending a programme called MEND.

    It’s designed to help get parents and children moving and give advice on diet and lifestyle.

    It’s a really fun programme to take part in – the room is full of children playing tig and other games.

    It doesn’t feel like sport, it’s not competitive. It’s just fun activity.

    And it’s important because Scotland needs to get more children and adults active.

    Government figures show two thirds of adults are overweight. Just over a quarter of children are at risk of being overweight or obese.

    I’ve been looking at why that is, and specifically what role sport plays.

    Our elite sportsmen and women are winning more medals than ever before.

    But government statistics on physical activity are largely static.

    So what has happened to the inspiration that was meant to flow from our elite successes?

    When I asked Prof Leigh Robinson from Stirling University about this she surprised me by saying there was no proven link between elite success and wider health.

    She said: “Politicians and people who are trying to promote elite sport need to stop with that argument. Whether… the public are overly concerned about that argument, whether we like the fact that we win medals, that we are world champions, that we go away to events and are very successful, that may just be enough for us.”

    So it may well be that winning makes us all feel good, and that’s enough, but she doesn’t see any evidence it makes us healthier.

    The more I spoke to people about this the clearer it became that if we are to become a more active society that needs to be part of our everyday lives.

    Government initiatives that promote walking have seen big successes. Cycling is another area where activity can slot into our daily routine.

    Back in Kilmarnock I spoke to Dawn Bias about everyday activity and something troubling became clear.

    To get her kids up to a healthy level it seems she needs to make a real effort.

    Comments

    Related Articles

    House Hunting in the Digital Age: Tips and Tricks: A Modern Guide to Finding Your Dream Home

    Ah, the thrill of house hunting! It used to be all about driving around neighborhoods, peeking through windows, and chatting with local realtors. But,...

    Do landlords really need letting agents?

    There are two types of landlords: landlords who rent their properties independently and those who rely on leasing agents. On the other hand, there...

    Why Furniture Matters Most When Redesigning A Room

    Home is where the heart lies - that much is true! But in order to truly consider a place as our home, it must...

    How should you care and grow for a papaya plant?

    Papaya trees produce delicious tropical fruits with vibrant red-orange flesh and black seeds, often grown as quickly as their first flowering year. Not only...

    Tree Trimming Advice From Tree Trimming Services Professionals

    Tree Trimming Advice From Tree Trimming Services Professionals You may not need to hire tree trimming services if you have healthy trees or basic knowledge...

    The Rise & Fall of Anonymous

    Chances are you might have heard of the group “Anonymous” before, or at least recognised their Guy Fawkes masks. For those who don’t know,...

    What are the Safety Tips for Tree Pruning?

    What are the Safety Tips for Tree Pruning? This blog will assist homeowners in determining when and how to Tree Pruning. This page is for...

    5 Factors that Influence Resale Value And ROI

    5 Factors that Influence Resale Value And ROI Neighborhood Julianne and Kevin Warren spent $42,000 to remodel their 1950s ranch Resale Value home's kitchen. The house...

    8 Ways to Puppy Proof Your Home

    Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time. But before you bring your furry friend home, it's important to make sure your home...

    Subscribe

    15,000FansLike
    50,000FollowersFollow
    1,000FollowersFollow

    Same Category

    Dangers of DIY Drain Clearing

      Nobody will go an entire lifetime without coming across...

    4 Steps to Success When Buying a Home

    Purchasing a new home is a huge financial responsibility....

    Will Poulter: I have a lot Pinch Myself Moments

    Young actors rarely get to film scenes with Leonardo...

    Stay in touch!

    Follow our Instagram

    error: Content is protected !!