Nursery World - Route to fitness starts at nursery

Young children's health, fitness and co-ordination have been boosted by a successful nursery exercise scheme in Clackmannanshire. Fears over the health of young children were heightened last month when Government statistics showed that 21 per cent of children aged between three and three-and-a-half were overweight, while 9 per cent were obese and 4 per cent severely obese. The data showed the problem had been getting worse in recent years because of children's poor diet and lack of exercise.

Fears over the health of young children were heightened last month when Government statistics showed that 21 per cent of children aged between three and three-and-a-half were overweight, while 9 per cent were obese and 4 per cent severely obese. The data showed the problem had been getting worse in recent years because of children's poor diet and lack of exercise.

Clackmannanshire Council recently hosted a conference to show how nurseries can help battle problems with fitness in young children. Its scheme, called Active Start, has now been running for five years. It was originally set up when primary years sports instructors noticed children were starting school with poor fitness and motor skills.

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