Title: The road to an active and healthy childhood, from fitness to fatness and back again
Speaker: Gareth Stratton
Professor of Paediatric Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University
Professor Stratton’s research areas include:

  • Children, health and exercise. With a focus on physical activity and its effect on health.
  • Type I diabetes and exercise.
  • Psycho-physiological factors related to overweight and obesity in the growing child.
  • Tracking physical activity and motor fitness.
Gareth is currently involved in a number of projects, including the following:

  • The Liverpool Sporting Playgrounds Project
  • Sportslinx Project
  • Active Schools Project
  • Regional Physical Activity Audit
  • Light on Your Feet Dance Project
  • Be Active Stay Healthy (BASH) Project
  • Always Active
His talk focussed on how physical activity is important for both a healthy childhood and adulthood.
One of the basic guidelines is that children should have at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical exercise everyday.
Interestingly, afternoon playtimes in schools have a significant effect on weight gain in young children. Where there is no afternoon playtime children tend to be heavier (i.e. carry excess body fat).
Related information: 1, 2, 3, 4

Children Are Not Getting the Physical Activity They Need


Parents should get outside and play with their children


Michelle Obama

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