Half of D&G school kids are not getting enough exercise
Youth councillors want to devise a plan to eliminate any stigmas around physical activity.
Last updated 8th Jul 2025
More needs to be done to improve the health and fitness of young people in the region, council chiefs have admitted.
Only around half of children and young people are meeting activity guidelines.
As Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Physical Activity Strategy was discussed at the education, skills, and community wellbeing committee on Tuesday, Louise Church, Dumfries and Galloway youth councillor, said: “I’d like to ask about the barriers for school aged children when it comes to physical activity.
“Is there a way we’re trying to break down those barriers, or ways to be break down stigma around exercise?
“Is there a plan you’re putting in place to hopefully eliminate that?”
Lee Seton, the council’s leisure, culture and wellbeing manager, said: “Very important question – because we do know from our school surveys that we’re seeing figures of around 50 per cent of children and young people that are achieving the physical activity guidelines.
“It’s a particular area that we wish to see improvement in.
“Like many parts of Scotland, we’re very fortunate we’ve got our Active Schools programme that I’m sure you’re familiar with.”
Mr Seton explained that the council is working with NHS colleagues to develop its physical activity strategy, and that young people is one of eight key aspects to that plan. He added that the Active Schools team are working hard to improve those physical activity rates, and that Active Schools is to be funded by SportScotland for four years.