Reduction in children's exercise a "time bomb" for East Midlands kids
Lockdown is being blamed for inactivity
A huge reduction in physical activity among Derbyshire and Nottingham children has been described as a "time bomb" for future health issues.
New figures that only one in ten of Derbyshire's kids are now hitting an aim to exercise for an hour a day.
Lockdown has been blamed for the dip. with pre pandemic levels at around 66% active. The concern for local health officials is that, now that things are opening up again, children are maintaining their low levels of activity.
Stuart Bachelor, director for Active Derbyshire said "The effect for our children has been devastating, this has particularly been the case in less active families and those who are more deprived."
Mr Bachelor said that tackling "deep roots" of inequality locally would be key in solving the issue.
“It is a time bomb for what could come in the future.”
Lee Hicken, a director at Bolsover District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council, said there were “deep rooted” issues around inactivity in Bolsover.
He said people who were “socially isolated to the extreme” were now taking part in physical activity programmes due to work locally through the councils and Active Derbyshire.
Cllr Carol Hart, leader of Erewash Borough Council and a county council cabinet member for health, said Covid-19 had highlighted issues with inequalities across Derbyshire.