Healthy Cities Illawarra keeping kids active and safe
Kids are moving less because of COVID-19, presenting significant health consequences for a generation of children who are already considered physically inactive.
That's what Sport Australia's most recent AusPlay study found.
The study also revealed that about 76 per cent of children aged 5-12 do not complete their recommended amount of daily physical activity - 60minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day
Despite ongoing challenges, Healthy Cities Illawarra has continued to deliver their physical activity programs each week.
"On the back of the latest data from the AusPlay report, it's now more important than ever that schools and community organisations play a vital role in keeping young people active," Healthy Cities Illawarra health promotion officer Jess Seymour said.
"We have continued to deliver health and physical activity programs in Illawarra communities during 2020 for local children aged 9-12 through our Active In-Betweens program.
"Active In-Betweens' provides opportunities for children to meet their daily physical activity needs in a fun and engaging way. It also provides opportunities for positive social connections, community engagement and promotion of key health messages including regular physical activity and good nutrition.
"Being able to deliver programs during the height of the pandemic in 2020 has allowed us to develop an agile strategy to ensure it can continue to deliver programs consistently during 2021.
"This has been strongly supported by the local Wollongong community who collectively raised almost $40,000 by participating in Savvy Fitness' Savvy Survivor Event late last year."
Healthy Cities Illawarra holds its Active In-Betweens program every Thursday (3-4.30pm) during school terms at Horsley Community Centre.
Visit www.healthycities.org.au for program details.
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