The Challenge We Face

4 million (55%) children and young people in England do not meet Chief Medical Officer guidelines for physical activity participation (Sport England) and it estimated that four in five 11- to 17-year-olds around the world are not getting enough physical exercise (WHO).

Two of the leading authorities in health - the WHO and Lancet believe that adolescents should be targeted now to help alleviate the global inactivity crisis in the aim of creating a triple benefit for today, into adulthood, and for the next generation. Phyllis supports organisations such as schools, primary/secondary care and commercial organisations that care for children and young people and understand that we need to do more help them to move more and improve their lives.

There is indisputable evidence of the benefits of regular physical activity to young peoples’ physical and emotional health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of chronic diseases worldwide including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. In the UK alone physical inactivity is responsible for one in six UK deaths (equal to smoking) and is estimated to cost the UK £7.4 billion annually (including £0.9 billion to the NHS alone).