Department of Health (National)

Schools in deprived areas to receive pedometers

New National Programme to Help Children Beat the Bulge

Children at schools in deprived areas are to be given pedometers as part of 
a £494,000 project to motivate inactive children to become fitter.

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint has launched the National School 
Pedometer Programme, which will see 250 schools in deprived areas across 
the country be given 45,000 pedometers, to encourage children to become 
more active. In addition, all schools will have access to online resources 
that can be used inside and outside the classroom.

The National programme announcement comes on the heels of a successful 
pilot pedometer scheme Schools on the Movethat was trialed in 50 schools 
and showed encouraging increases in childrens' activity levels.

Most children said the pilot increased their interest in physical activity 
and half said they had become more active as a result. While the pilot 
proved particularly effective at encouraging less active children to do 
more exercise, it did appeal to children of all fitness levels.

Even families of students got in on the action as students were so keen to 
improve their step count they persuaded their parents to take them on 
country walks and visit local health clubs at weekends.

In the national programme pedometers will be used in schools as a tool to
support a wide range of curriculum topics and to increase awareness amongs
pupils of the need to be active. Teachers will be trained in how to use the
programme within the curriculum.

Children will be able to chart their pedometer progress by logging onto a
dedicated website that will help them set step targets.

The Schools on the Movepilot shows physical activity levels and interest in
continuing did increase for participants, particularly those who were less
active.

63 per cent of children felt that the Schools on the Moveproject had 
increased the amount of discussion and interest in physical activity within 
their school.

Step counts increased steadily from an average of 8355 steps at baseline to 
an average of 13939 at the end of the 23 week programme.

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: "Using Pedometers in schools 
has successfully encouraged children, especially those who do less 
exercise, to become more active, so I am pleased to announce that this 
scheme is being extended. It is particularly impressive that the childrens' 
enthusiasm for pedometers has led to whole families becoming fitter as 
children have been so eager to improve their step count they have persuaded 
their parents to do things like go walking with them, or join an exercise 
club.

"Pedometers help to show that you don't need to join a gym or start running 
marathons to improve your fitness levels - simple things like going out for 
a walk, or taking the stairs instead of a lift can all help to improve your 
overall physical well being."

We know that obesity prevalence is often high in deprived areas and schools
with high levels of obesity will therefore benefit from the National School
Pedometer Programme. Evidence shows that obesity is best tackled through
activities and interventions targeted at a population level that address the
whole school environment and the wider local community.

Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "The use of
pedometers in schools has proven a great way of not only increasing young
peoples' physical activity levels but also helps us take the importance of
daily exercise into the classroom."

"By making physical activity relevant across the curriculum, you can engage 
even more young people with sport and exercise and likewise stimulate 
learning in other subjects like Maths, Science and Geography."

Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "Walking is one of the easiest ways to 
exercise and pedometers can make it more fun for children. Good habits 
started early can help children maintain a healthy lifestyle through their 
adult lives.

"Schools are already increasing children's activity levels by boosting the
opportunities to take part in PE and school sport.  Pedometers can be
especially effective in encouraging young people to be active out of school
hours and at weekends."

For public enquiries contact 0207 210 4850.

Notes for Editors

1. Increasing activity levels can help prevent serious conditions such as
coronary heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

2. Young people should achieve a total of at least 60 minutes of at least
moderate intensity physical activity per day.

3. 30 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls are not achieving the
recommended physical activity levels.

4. The 250 schools in the National School Pedometer Programme will be in
deprived areas.

5. Students' intention to maintain their walking levels was optimistic as 
35 per cent reported that they 'definitely' will maintain their walking 
during the next 12 months.

6. The pedometer scheme complements the DfT and DfES scheme to pay grants to
schools to increase walking to school.  More than 1,200 schools have already
applied for these grants for Walking Buses and other walking initiatives.
Schools can continue to apply until the closing date for applications is 31
January.

7. The National programme is funded by the Department of Health and managed 
by the Youth Sport Trust.

8. The Youth Sport Trust is a registered charity established in 1994 to 
build a brighter future for young people through sport. For more 
information, visit http://www.youthsporttrust.org

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