Anaylsis: More PE a step in right direction – if it’s fun

A LOT has been done to try to tackle childhood obesity and there has been a step in the right direction with the moves to increase PE in Scotland’s schools.

However, the overall environment in society is one that tends to lead to more obesity in terms of the easy availability of junk food and a culture that encourages children to eat that kind of food.

The most worrying thing about large numbers of children classed as overweight and obese at his age is once a child gains weight it can then be hard to loose. A key thing to do is to ensure that the PE is fun, particularly for those who may be overweight or who don’t usually get involved in sport. There’s also a real need to do more to promote healthy meal options to improve these obesity figures.

• Eimear Dolan is a lecturer in sport and exercise science at Robert Gordon University.