Cooped up children lose out in health and happiness stakes

Cooped up children in the North West lose out in health & happiness stakes

Children in the North West of England are falling behind in the happiness stakes because they spend too much time indoors, according to nearly half of the region’s adults (42%), who worry their children or grandchildren aren’t as happy as they were at the same age.

Around a third (30)% of adults believe they were much happier as a child themselves, with a startling 100% of these stating the reason for this being that they spent more time outdoors, interacting with other children rather than sitting in front of a screen, like much of today’s younger generation.

These are the outcomes of a survey - recently conducted by The Camping and Caravanning Club as part of a campaign to 'Get Kids Outdoors with Camping' – which researched the amount of time kids spend indoors versus outdoors, and the perceived effects this could be having on their level of mental and physical wellbeing.

The survey revealed that around nine in ten (89%) adults believe that spending more time outdoors and going on camping trips would help improve children’s social skills and mental health, because it would teach them how to interact, adapt and operate in real life and practical situations. Yet almost half (47%) admit their children don’t spend enough time outdoors and nearly three quarters (72%) say their children spend more time indoors than outdoors.

Furthermore, 71% of all adults in the region believe that social media and online gaming have a negative effect on children’s ability to engage and interact in real life situations.

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “Being active and having quality family time are two things that help children and young people thrive. Getting out and about together on an exciting camping adventure or for a walk to the local park is positive mentally and physically. As well as health benefits, spending less time online could reduce the hidden dangers children are exposed to online.”

The survey also revealed that the majority (83%) of adults in the North West believe that encouraging children to spend more quality time in the Great British Outdoors and on camping trips could help to increase physical health and fitness and in turn fight against the current obesity epidemic. Nearly half (43%) agreed that being active in earlier life means the child would be more likely to retain a level of fitness in adult life. Yet recent figures suggest only 21% of children today regularly play outdoors, compared to 71% of their parents.

Launching next week, the 'Get Kids Outdoors with Camping' campaign, which coincides with National Camping and Caravanning Week (30 May – 5 June), will see The Camping and Caravanning Club embark on a national roadshow, visiting popular areas of the UK, to demonstrate and reinforce the mental and physical benefits that getting out into the great outdoors can have on adults and children alike.

Camping and Caravanning Club President and TV presenter Julia Bradbury, who kick started the campaign by camping overnight on top of the O2 Arena on 24 May 2016, said: “There’s no question our kids are missing out; apparently the likelihood of a child visiting any green space has halved in a generation. Children are becoming disconnected from the natural environment and that is having a detrimental effect on their development. Outdoor adventures help with physical development and build emotional resilience. Get them off the screens and get them outdoors.”