Doctors have warned that a “truly alarming” lack of access to outdoor space at schools is exacerbating Britain’s child obesity crisis . Child obesity is already a significant public health problem. In England, one in three children are leaving primary school overweight or obese and face a higher risk of serious health conditions, mental health problems and dying prematurely.
But medics and public health experts say that poor access to playing fields and playgrounds at state schools is contributing to worsening and wider health inequalities, which is leading to thousands of children growing up overweight or obese. The stark revelation emerged as part of a Guardian investigation examining disparities in access to green space between private and state school pupils. Children at the top 250 English private schools have more than 10 times as much outdoor space as those who go to state schools.
Meanwhile children at state schools are facing a devastating loss of space and time outdoors, with experts warning that the problem may be linked to rising numbers of children experiencing mental health difficulties. Revealed: students at top private schools have 10 times more green space than state pupils Read more Dr Kath McCullough, the Royal College of Physicians’ special adviser on obesity, said there was “no doubt” that a lack of access to green space – and the gap between state and private schools – was compounding the crisis. “This huge gulf in access to open spaces.
