More stringent measures such as high intensity, vigorous physical activity are needed to prevent childhood obesity, a guest lecturer has told the University of Ulster.

Gareth Stratton, Professor of Paediatric Exercise Science at John Moore’s University Liverpool, was speaking as the fourth year of Sport NI sponsored guest lectures got underway at the Ulster School of Sports Studies in Jordanstown.

The lecture, entitled ‘Children are Active and Healthy: Fat Chance’ examines the need for increased physical activity in children and prevent a ‘couch potato society’ developing in the future.

Professor Stratton said: “Current guidelines exist recommending at least one hour of physical activity per day but what I would suggest is that we go further than this. I would argue that in addition children also need to be participating in at least 90 minutes of high intensity, vigorous activity each week.

“These activities include anything that can get the body moving about more than walking, like skipping, football or dance.”

Professor Stratton said that it is also important to focus on the quality of the activity as much as the quantity and the biggest challenge is to make young people aware of the consequences of obesity.

He said: “The thing is, for young people, that they see death is something that is far away for them and they will not worry about it. However, the fact is that obese children will live shorter lives than those who are not obese. Educating young people in how to act and apply themselves so that in the future they don’t suffer from the health implications that being overweight and obesity can bring.”

Professor Stratton, who also chairs the Research into Exercise and Children’s Health Group at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, also gave his backing to the School’s Sports Outreach Programme, which promotes participation in sport and physical activity.

He said: “I think that any project that promotes healthy living among our young people is to be welcomed and the University of Ulster has shown this is crucial to youth development. Starting with young people and the programmes in place is the way to go.”

Professor Murphy, Head of the School of Sports Studies at Ulster said: “We are delighted to have attracted such an internationally renowned researcher to the province.

“With generous support from Sport NI we have developed a tradition of bringing research leaders in the areas of sport and exercise to Ulster. Professor Stratton continues this tradition by kicking-off off the fourth seminar series with an insightful, thought-provoking lecture on what needs to be done to address the alarming increase in childhood overweight and obesity.”

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