Being Active: Children and Young People JSNA (2024)

This JSNA explores children and young peoples physical activity. Physical activity is crucial for children and young people. It promotes healthy growth and development, improves cardiovascular health, strengthens bones and muscles, helps maintain a healthy weight, and boosts overall mental well-being. Regular physical activity also enhances cognitive function, concentration, and academic performance. It teaches important life skills like teamwork, communication, and discipline while reducing the risk of chronic disease in later life.

Children who are more active are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others, but over half of our children and young people aged 5-16 are not active enough to enjoy these benefits. As a society our level of physical activity continues to decrease, with numerous factors contributing to this. 

The scope of this ‘being active’ chapter was to review the existing offer across the borough, considering barriers and highlighting opportunities to improve children, young people and families ability to be physically active in a way which suits their needs and their developmental stage. With a particular focus on:

• Movement and play during the early years (from conception), in settings, at home and in leisure, community and open spaces (conception - 4)  
• Organised sport and physical activity in educational settings and other settings in which children and young people spend time (5-19; <25 SEND)
• Community and leisure activities which encourage physical activity (ALL age)
• Active travel and being active at home (5-19; <25 SEND)
• Appropriate advice and guidance to support physical activity