Enabling a healthy start in life through physical activity

Every child should be able to enjoy the benefits of physical activity, establishing a solid base for a life filled with energy, happiness and good health. Extensive research has consistently shown that regular physical activity improves a child’s physical, mental and social wellbeing and enhances their ability to learn and think. Maintaining an active lifestyle from an early age into adulthood is widely recognised to be crucial in improving brain health and weight management, reducing the risk of disease, and strengthening bones and muscles.
Despite this, physical activity levels have decreased, making it the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Concerningly, physical inactivity among children and adolescents is soaring.
Too many children live in communities that lack safe spaces for walking and cycling, have limited access to public open spaces, and face financial barriers for participating in exercise or sports programmes.
Children living in vulnerable communities and neighbourhoods face additional challenges in achieving enjoyable, sociable and accessible physical activity.
Move For Fun is a response that seeks to address some of these health inequities.