BTCV’s Green Gyms Offer Solution to Childhood Obesity and Depression

LONDON -

LONDON, July 14 /PRNewswire/ –

- Oxford Brookes University Research Confirms Improvements to Health and Wellbeing of Participants in Scheme

Results released today from a pilot study by BTCV (the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers) into extending their Green Gym concept into schools have highlighted strong positive improvements in physical fitness, mental wellbeing, behaviour and social skills amongst child participants. Evaluation by Oxford Brookes University, examined the impact a national BTCV Green Gym scheme would have on the issues of childhood inactivity if rolled out to schools across the UK.

Through participation in active environmental conservation projects, BTCV’s Green Gym provides an alternative to the gym for individuals and groups wishing to get fit. Previously only open to adults, the BTCV was keen to make those benefits available to children, believing they could contribute to effort to combat inactivity and obesity in the young, which already affects up to one in four children in the UK.

After obtaining a Department of Health Section 64 grant in 2006, BTCV’s pilot study of Green Gyms in Schools, involved over 250 children across nine schools during an 18-month period. The sessions 1-1.5 hour sessions were designed to provide a variety of physical activities throughout term time, to enable children aged 7-11 years of all fitness levels to get involved.

The research found: - Significant improvements in physical and psychological health - Participant weekend physical activity levels increased significantly - Children reported overall happiness - within themselves and with their external environment - Improvements in child self-confidence, behaviour, social skills, communication skills and increased ability to work as a team

Oakwood Primary School in Leeds - one of the 10% most deprived wards in the country - took part in the pilot. Abi Fido, a Year 5 teacher helping BTCV to run the Oakwood Primary scheme comments: “Green Gym has provided a fantastic alternative way for children at our school to be active.”

Tom Flood, CBE, Chief Executive of the BTCV comments:

“Given the success of the pilot, we’re keen now to work with government, local authorities and schools to make the Green Gym school programme nationwide. The model enables teachers and parents to set up and run their own Gyms. We aim to establish 60 School Green Gyms by 2012.”

For further information contact Lisa Pantelli +44-1273-666-200 or btcv@midnight.co.uk

Source: BTCV (the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers)

For further information contact Lisa Pantelli +44-1273-666-200 or btcv at midnight.co.uk