London Play

Working for a capital where all children can play

Linking play strategies & physical activity improvement targets

8 October 2007

Health Promotion Managers at each local Primary Care Trust (PCT) have specific targets to reduce childhood obesity. Each borough council should support this with a variety of actions through the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). Play providers and play associations should ensure they are recognised for the work they do, linking play and physical exercise to better health. Until very recently there has been presumption in government that this is best left to the sports field and school PE teacher. This briefing shows how to redress that imbalance.

This is not simply about reducing childhood obesity; London Play has no brief to determine or comment on children's body size, or promote the "body building" of gym membership and exercise fanaticism. The big picture is about ensuring all children can have better health through adequate play, physical exercise and activity, and to dismantle the barriers that prevent this. Earlier generations had less prevalence of obesity, yet we ate stodgy food, crisps and sweets at every opportunity, the difference was in being allowed out to play where and when we liked.

Download the briefing below.