WIREDGOV

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing spokeswoman, responds to ukactive's report calling for the sugar levy to be invested in school holiday sports.

"Sedentary lifestyles are a contributing factor to the child obesity crisis we are facing. Unless we act now, the number of obese adults in the country is forecast to soar by a staggering 73 per cent to 26 million people over the next 20 years.

"We back the calls of ukactive for funding raised from the proposed sugar levy to not just fund physical activity during the school term, but also in school holidays.

"It's important that active lifestyles are encouraged outside the school calendar as well.

"Technology companies also have a role to play in promoting active lifestyles, in getting youngsters moving and exercising, rather than being sat down and glued to a screen all day. Earlier this year the World Health Organisation said sedentary screen time was a cause of children being overweight and obese.

"Active habits are vital if we are to make a breakthrough in tackling the rise in child obesity."

Related information :

http://www.ukactive.com/home/more/8889/page/1/ipad-kids-at-risk-of-long-term-poor-health-as-parents-struggle-to-wean-children-off-gadgets