{"id":58662,"date":"2015-07-01T23:15:13","date_gmt":"2015-07-01T23:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=1ee8e1fdd874a6e8879076de550ff51a"},"modified":"2015-07-01T23:15:13","modified_gmt":"2015-07-01T23:15:13","slug":"press-release-study-finds-physically-active-children-are-happier-and-more-confident-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=58662","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Study finds physically active children are happier and more confident"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Today (2 July 2015) marks the launch of this year\u2019s \u2018Change4Life 10 minute shake up\u2019 campaign with Disney. The campaign aims to encourage children to do 10 minute bursts of moderate to vigorous activity, inspired by Disney characters, throughout the day, and every day, in order to meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity children need.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s campaign launches to coincide with the publication of an evidence review by British Heart Foundation (BHF<\/abbr>) researchers<\/a> from the University of Oxford and Loughborough University, which identifies the direct benefits that physical activity has on children in terms of their physical, social and emotional development.<\/p>\n

The new review points to strong evidence that physical activity and sport has a positive impact on children\u2019s social skills and self-esteem. The evidence review also identified further social benefits for children as a result of physical activity including increased confidence and peer acceptance, alongside a link to friendship.<\/p>\n

Review author Professor Charlie Foster commented:<\/p>\n

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The positives of exercise on children\u2019s mental wellbeing are less well known than the physical benefits. The evidence showed a strong link between physically active children and improved self-esteem, confidence, attention span and even academic achievements.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Over a third of children in the UK are overweight, yet 79% of parents with an overweight child do not recognise that they are, and of those that do, 41% do not realise that it is a health risk. Furthermore, parents tend to overestimate how active their children are. Change4Life with Disney aims to inspire children to get active using Disney characters and stories as encouragement.<\/p>\n

New for this year\u2019s campaign, the Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Up game allows kids to join one of four Disney teams: Frozen, Toy Story, Monsters and Big Hero 6 and help their team win by doing as many \u2018shake ups\u2019 as they can every day.<\/p>\n

To mark today\u2019s campaign launch, Change4Life and Disney are hosting England\u2019s largest ever interactive PE<\/abbr> lesson. An exclusive 10 minute shake up will be available to schools from 9am on Thursday 2 July. The film stars Ricky Wilson, Kaiser Chiefs frontman and TV judge on \u2018The Voice\u2019 who is also a keen runner and fitness enthusiast. Ricky will guide children through a 10 minute shake up game inspired by the moves of Disney characters from the shake up teams. <\/p>\n

This is the second year that Change4Life has teamed up with Disney. Last year\u2019s campaign resulted in the nation\u2019s kids being active for an extra 104 million minutes of the summer.<\/p>\n

Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England (PHE<\/abbr>), commented:<\/p>\n

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Levels of childhood obesity are unacceptably high \u2013 currently 1 in 5 primary school children is overweight or obese. This latest review reinforces the essential health and wellbeing benefits of being physically active. Breaking up the 60 minutes of physical activity that children need each day into 10 minute bursts will be more appealing and manageable for children and parents alike.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison, said:<\/p>\n

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Exercise is really important for children, and it\u2019s vital that we encourage them to form healthy habits to last throughout their life.<\/p>\n

The 10 minute shake up programme is great for introducing children to manageable, bite-size chunks of activity \u2013 and, best of all, it\u2019s fun. With the summer holidays coming up, it\u2019s ideal for parents and children to get active together.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Marianthi O\u2019Dwyer, Vice President and Head of Living Well at Disney UK and Ireland said:<\/p>\n

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Following on from the success of last year\u2019s campaign, we\u2019re excited to be partnering with Change4Life for a brand new 10 minute shake up. This year children will have the chance to join 1 of 4 Disney-themed teams, which we hope will inspire them to get even more active this summer.<\/p>\n

Disney\u2019s stories are experienced and enjoyed by children around the world, so we believe we can have a positive influence. Our partnership with Change4Life is part of Disney\u2019s commitment to use our stories and characters to inspire and encourage life-long healthy behaviours in families.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

For further information about the Change4Life 10 minute shake up campaign please contact the PHE<\/abbr> press office on 020 7654 8400, email phe-pressoffice@phe.gov.uk<\/a> or Change4LifePressOffice@freuds.com<\/a> or out of hours telephone 020 8200 4400.<\/p>\n

More assets, including images, videos and press materials are available in the online Change4Life media hub<\/a>. Password: exercise <\/p>\n