Children need to spend more time outdoors, say experts

According to recent research almost a quarter of children never play outside because of bad weather, hectic lifestyles and irrational fears over accidents and abductions, reports the Telegraph.

A recent study has revealed that under 16s now spend twice as much leisure time in the home as they do in green spaces and they are becoming increasingly ignorant of nature in favour of spending their time in front of the T.V, video games or the internet.

Experts are saying that it is the unwillingness of today’s younger generation to play outside that is fuelling the ever growing childhood obesity levels and leaving them less prepared to deal with the stresses of modern life.

GP and advisor to Natural England, Dr William Bird,said: “If you want to deal with obesity and physical activity, it has got to include the natural environment.”

He added: “The outdoors for children creates resilience so they can cope with more stresses; they can actually increase their concentration, they can improve their work.”

The study also found that 22 per cent of parents admitted their children ‘rarely or never’ spent time outdoors in the open with 45 per cent of parents saying they feared for their child’s safety when they played outdoors.