A key GM Moving in Action priority is to ensure that children and young people lead active lives, moving every day, with greater choice, say, and independence in when and how they move in safe, age appropriate spaces.
Movement, physical activity and sport play an important role in children and young people’s social, emotional and physical development. It can provide a safe space for young people.
However in Greater Manchester (GM), 28.7% of children and young people do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a day, and are therefore missing out on the these benefits.
See more on GM's physical activity data for children and young people.
Activity rates also differ significantly across Greater Manchester; activity rates are lower for girls, disabled children, children in poorer families, and young people of Asian, Black (African or Caribbean), mixed, and White non-British heritage.
This contributes to longer-term inequalities in health; for example, disabled children are more likely than non-disabled children to be sedentary, placing them at higher risk of obesity and associated health conditions over their life course.
These inequalities were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Childhood presents a pivotal point in a person’s life to influence life-long engagement in physical activity. It provides an opportunity to help shape the habits and behaviours of future generations, which is achieved by embedding the five elements of physical literacy: enjoyment, confidence, competence, understanding and knowledge.
Children and young people also inspire and influence the habits of the adults around them, including parents, carers, teachers and support services – creating an influential ripple effect.
For information aimed directly at young people and opportunities in Greater Manchester visit Greater Manchester Apprenticeship & Careers Service.
Within the GM Moving in Action priorities, GM Moving have identified some key areas we would like to share further information on, which collectively will ensure more positive experiences for children and young people in Greater Manchester:
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee launched an inquiry back in November to look at how better planning could enhance the children's health and wellbeing.
The Youth Sport Trust’s manifesto for action sets out how we can improve children and young people’s physical, mental and social wellbeing by increasing levels of physical activity.
Sport England have today released their Active Lives Children and Young People data.