Children are the future but that future could be plagued by health issues, according to new research from Premier Sport, a franchise offering physical activity sessions to kids. After surveying 1,000 British parents, it’s revealed that only 10% of children exercise every day and 60% of parents worry about their kids’ weight.
The research also showed that a third of parents struggle to keep their young ones active and 85% of parents think children would benefit from more fitness education at school, with 50% suggesting schools should test children on health issues. A quarter of parents admit they’re in the dark when it comes to knowing what physical activity their children’s school offers.
“It doesn’t seem right that we regularly measure numeracy and literacy skills in school children but we don’t regularly measure something that could potentially kill them,” said Duncan Goodhew, Olympic gold medalist and Premier Sport ambassador. “This has to change if we’re to curb the alarming rates of inactivity in our children.”
In a bid to do his part, Goodhew attended the launch of the My Personal Best initiative in May. Premier Sport and ukactive, the non-for-profit organisation aimed at making Britain healthier, launched the initiative to combat childhood obesity and help schools promote a more active lifestyle by challenging kids to beat their own personal records.
But Premier Sport is not the only franchise doing its part to boost the British population’s health. In August, Muffin Break, the food franchise, introduced healthier food options at some hospital outlets in response to the government’s new sugar tax – a tax that was welcomed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. However, having spent the past 11 years campaigning to help children eat better, he was less than happy about Theresa May’s government abandoning a ban against junk food advertisement.
“She’s completely let every child in Britain down, let parents down, everyone has been let down,” Oliver told the Radio Times. “Everything about the childhood obesity strategy that’s just come out is a complete stinking herring. It’s a terrible job Theresa May’s done there. Unforgivable.”
Commenting on the obesity challenge, a Department of Health spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to reducing childhood obesity and are confident our world-leading plan will make a real difference to help reverse a problem that has been decades in the making.”
With Premier Sport’s research in mind, here’s hoping the government puts its money where its mouth is. 
Eric Johansson
As web editor and resident Viking, Johansson ensures Elite Franchise is filled with engaging and eclectic entrepreneurial stories. While one of our most prolific franchise writers, he has sharpened his editorial teeth by writing about entertainment and fitness. Follow him on Twitter at @EricJohanssonLJ to catch up with his stream of consciousness.
Eric Johansson
As web editor and resident Viking, Johansson ensures Elite Franchise is filled with engaging and eclectic entrepreneurial stories. While one of our most prolific franchise writers, he has sharpened his editorial teeth by writing about entertainment and fitness. Follow him on Twitter at @EricJohanssonLJ to catch up with his stream of consciousness.
