Children face bone health timebomb with expert blaming lack of play and poor …

Children spend three fewer hours a week playing outside than their parents did at the same age with a scorching summer and the lure of screens keeping them indoors, new research has found.

Nearly half (48%) of primary school-age children also miss the recommended hour of daily activity during the rest of the year, with one expert warning of a “bone health time bomb”.

Meanwhile 36% are eating fewer than two portions of calcium-rich food a day and missing out on crucial vitamin D, according to data from yoghurt brand Yoplait.

The situation could put children’s health at risk according to experts as vitamin D, calcium and movement provide the foundations for bone strength.

Research also found that children spend an average of nine hours a week on devices, compared with seven hours playing outside.

Around 58% of families admit spending less time outside this year than last due to successive heatwaves.

More than eight in ten parents (85%) want action, and in response Yoplait has called on the government to put bone health on the agenda when Parliament returns from its summer recess.

To drive the call to action, a barren children’s playground has been installed on Queen’s Walk, across the river from the Houses of Parliament.

The playground is cordoned off with warning tape and signs stating that it is not safe to play on – not because the equipment is faulty, but because today’s children aren’t strong enough to use it.

Yoplait is calling on people to sign its petition urging politicians to take action rather than ignoring what is becoming a critical issue.

Dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton said: “The new research from Yoplait shows that physical activity has barely recovered from the Covid years when sports clubs closed, and children were home-schooled.

“Coupled with soaring screen use and low intakes of bone health nutrients, we’re looking at a time bomb for young people’s bone health in later years.

“Alongside active play and sport participation, fortified dairy is one of the simplest and most accessible ways parents can help build strong, healthy bones and healthcare professionals and teachers all have a role in supporting parents with the knowledge they need to support their children’s health.”

Olympic champion and dad Greg Rutherford, who is supporting Yoplait on the campaign, added: “Parents are doing their best with the information they have, but it’s a minefield, and working out fact from fiction can be a real challenge.

“The positive benefits for families of getting outside and playing together need to be championed, and the Government needs to relook at their advice and ensure parents have the most up to date information to make the best choices for their kids.”