One third of schoolchildren don't play outside

More than one in three children in Bradford don't play outdoors after school, research has found

More than one in three children in Bradford do not play outdoors after school and one in five do not at weekends, according to new research.

The findings from the Born in Bradford (BiB) research programme were based on the lifestyles of 2,568 children in the city aged between 7 and 12.

The data has been unveiled ahead of the Bradford Science Festival, which takes place across the city during the school half-term period from 25 October to 2 November.

Lead researcher Dr Mark Ferguson said outdoor play was "essential for children's growth and development".

Dr Ferguson added: "Our finding of a decline in playing outdoors is worrying because it is linked to various health issues, including obesity, anxiety and depression."

He said "simple measures", like organising outdoor events and creating safe play spaces, "can make a big difference".

The research found 34% of children did not play outdoors on school days, while 20% stayed indoors on weekends.

It also found that children who played outside more often tended to have better social skills and fewer behavioural and emotional problems.

Prof Rosie McEachan, director of the BiB programme, said the research "shows how important it is for children's mental health to get off their screens and play outdoors after school and at weekends".

The Bradford Science Festival will feature an interactive data exhibition which "transforms BiB research into an interactive journey, exploring how people engage with green spaces across the city", a spokesperson said.

The event, which takes place at the National Science and Media Museum and across the city, aims to "bring to life" the BiB research, they added.

The long-running BiB programme tracks the health, development, and well-being of mothers and children in Bradford from pregnancy onwards, collecting data and monitoring health and educational impacts over 18 years.

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