More than a third of students (37%) worldwide don’t exercise at school, according to new research by Cambridge International.
The first ever Global Education Census by leading international education organisation Cambridge International aimed to find out what life is like in schools around the world today for students aged 12-19 and their teachers.
The report’s alarming findings come amid growing concern by leading global health experts that childhood obesity and unhealthy lifestyles are on the rise.
According to the study, published this week, girls are less likely than boys to play sport at school, with two in five female students (41%) saying they don’t take part in school sports, versus 28% of male students.
Obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with childhood obesity becoming ‘one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century’.
The WHO says young people should do at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. Yet, the Global Education Census found more than half (53%) of young people do less than two hours of exercise a week at school.
“We recognise the pressure on schools to focus on academic subjects, but taking part in healthy and collaborative activities like sport has wide-reaching benefits for students, including classroom benefits, like improving concentration so students can learn more,” Michael O’Sullivan, Cambridge International chief executive, said .
O’Sullivan pointed out that exercise doesn’t have to be limited to sport.
“Other subjects, such as drama or dance, can also encourage students to get active and learn away from their desks,” he said.
“School leaders are experts in helping all of their students get ready for the world, which is why we designed flexibility into our Cambridge Pathway, so schools can meet a wide range of students’ needs.”