One in three children in Bradford don't play outside after school
It has led to calls for more safe outdoor play spaces – particularly in Bradford’s inner city areas.
ONE out of three Bradford children don’t play outdoors after school, with experts saying the figures are “worrying” for the physical and mental health of the District’s youngsters.
And it has led to calls for more safe outdoor play spaces – particularly in Bradford’s inner city areas.
The research by Born in Bradford looked at the lifestyles of over 2,500 children aged between seven and 12 – including how often they play outdoors on weekdays and at weekends.
The findings have been released as part of Bradford Science Festival, which runs throughout this half term.
Data shows that 34 per cent of Bradford children don’t play outdoors on school days, while 20 per cent don’t play outdoors on weekends.
It found children who play outside more often tend to have better social skills and fewer behavioural and emotional problems. Those who don’t play outdoors regularly are more likely to suffer from obesity, anxiety and depression.
The Director of Born in Bradford says the research shows how important it is for children “to get off their screens and play outdoors.”
Researchers found different patterns of outdoor play throughout the week based on ethnicity – British heritage children played outside more on school days, while South Asian heritage children played outside more on weekends.
The study also found that children living in less deprived communities benefited more from outdoor play than those in more deprived communities.
But traditional park visits were not associated with improved social and emotional skills, suggesting a need for safer urban environments and play-friendly residential areas closer the children’s homes where families can exercise, socialise, and play.
The study suggests that outdoor play benefits social-emotional skills through physical activity, socialisation, and adventurous play.
Professor Rosie McEachan, Director of the Born in Bradford programme, said: “This latest study shows how important it is for children’s mental health to get off their screens and play outdoors after school and at weekends.
“We are lucky in Bradford to have many beautiful parks and green spaces, but these findings show that the local streets in which we live are just as important a space for children, and we need to make sure they are safe and welcoming spaces, free from traffic and pollution.”
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that research by Born in Bradford in recent years had led to Bradford Council investing more in outdoor spaces, and said the recent pedestrianisation of the city centre was a step forward.
Referring to the research she said: “When kids play outside they have better mental health and display more social behaviour.
“We need to be encouraging children to get out and play, and the way to do that is by creating more safe outdoor space.
“Since the 1950s and 60s towns have prioritised cars over families and children. People are only now starting to take this seriously.”
Lead researcher Dr Mark Ferguson from the University of Exeter said: “Outdoor play is essential for children’s growth and development, and our finding of a decline in playing outdoors is worrying because it is linked to various health issues, including obesity, anxiety and depression.
“Simple measures such as organising outdoor events and creating safe play spaces can make a big difference, but it is important to remember cultural differences and engage with communities to make these initiatives successful.”