Lack of exercise in schools linked to crime, drugs

Lack of exercise in schools linked to crime, drugs (STANDARD) 05月 09日 星期五 05:30AM

Local youngsters are lagging far behind their international peers in physical development, according to a study by Hong Kong University's Institute of Human Performance.

Athletic lethargy, caused by low physical activity, is contributing to rising obesity among Hong Kong children and leaving them susceptible to depression, delinquency and substance abuse.

The study, conducted by research assistant professor Jonathan Maxwell, was found a quarter of children had no physical activity outside of school and more than half participated in physical activity only once a week - lower than the physical activity of mainland children.

Local five-year-olds were also found to be as much as one year behind in physical development compared with North Americans.

Lobo Louie Hung-tak, associate director of the Dr Stephen Hui Research Centre of Physical Recreation and Wellness, said participation in sport has a positive effect in building leadership and team working skills and is also key to physical and psychological health. Participation in sports is also associated with lower levels of obesity, delinquency and substance abuse.

He identified a lack of physical activity from primary through secondary school - a time of key physical development- because of the limited space on school campuses.

As for the city's intellectual culture that prizes brains over brawn, he said schools' emphasis on academic subjects has compromised cultural subjects such as music, arts and physical education.

IPH's senior physical education officer Chan Mee-yee said several PE colleagues complained of an imbalanced provision for physical education, with schools wanting more time for studies.

To help combat athletic lethargy in the territory, the Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights, Kids' Dream and Prampushers are calling for less exam- driven curricula in schools and for increased chances for play, sports, outdoor activities and other extra- curricular pursuits.