Physical Activity and Air Quality – Making The Link Why Is Air Quality Important?
Poor air quality is a widely recognised environmental threat to the health and wellbeing of children worldwide1. In the UK it is estimated that annually between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths are linked to long- term exposure to air pollution2. Young children are particularly vulnerable, and the developing heart, lungs, brain, hormone systems and immunity can all be harmed by air pollution. The damage is both short-term and long-term. For example, when air quality is poor, children are more likely to be admitted to hospital due to their asthma. In Swindon, there were 87 admissions (166 per 100,000) to hospital for children under 18 in 2017/182. Admissions to hospital are a sign of more severe asthma, and cause disruption, including poor school attendance. In Swindon, we have an area of poor air quality, which means recorded levels are consistently above those recognised as a threat to health.
How Are Air Quality And Physical Activity Related?
When air quality is poor it can limit physical activity, however becoming more active can improve air quality. This is because nitrogen dioxide levels are the biggest contributors to poor
air quality and are largely cause by vehicles. By encouraging active travel, we can cut pollution significantly. According to The National Travel Survey 2018, as many as 1 in 4 cars on the road during peak hours are involved in the school run4. By encouraging families to choose Active Travel there are benefits for the whole families’ physical and mental health, as well as environmental benefits including combatting climate change and improving air quality. Benefits for the school include children who are healthier and more ready to learn, as well as easing local issues like congestion round the gates to make the school environment safer.
How Can Schools Boost Physical Activity And Improve Air Quality?
Positively, even small improvements in air quality have been shown to halt and reverse problems, which
requires collaborative action from everyone, including schools, businesses and local government. There are several things that schools can do to improve air quality and boost physical activity, including:
Active travel – walking, cycling or scooting to school and work. This can be incentivised through cycling schemes and providing facilities. It can also be made safer and easier with walking buses, 5 minute walk zones and Park and Stride, or training like Bikeability.
Anti-idling campaigns for the school gates
Cutting down car use through public transport, car pooling and car club.
How Can Schools Get Involved?
Schools can play a role as local leaders around Air Quality, on all the actions described above. Swindon Council are developing an Air Quality Toolkit for primary schools with a range of resources, links to support, lesson plans linked to the curriculum and ideas on getting pupils engaged with Active Travel and Air Quality. We would really like to work with schools around the launch of the toolkit, and provide support on developing local Green Champions. This might be through hosting an Air Quality Day, running an anti-idling campaign, setting up a walking bus, or doing Air Quality Experiments with pupils. If your school is interested in finding out more please email Kathryn Hamilton on
phteam@swindon.gov.uk
Links
1.
www.who.int/ceh/publications/inheriting-a-substainable-world/en 2.
www.gov.uk/govement/publications/health-matters-air-pollution/ health-matters-air-pollution 3.
www.fingertips.phe.org.uk/
4. Living Streets (2018) Swap the School run for a School Walk: Our solution for active children, healthy air and safe streets. A Living Streets report
‘’Do you want help as a family to get fit and healthy?’’
This September the Healthy Families programme has been launched in Swindon to enable children and families to learn more about how to eat well, make healthy food choices and look how to reduce e-play and enjoy being more active.
The Community Health & Wellbeing Team’s, Active & Inclusion staff at Swindon Borough Council can work with families to set SMART goals and achieve them further by practising new skills at the Healthy Lifestyle Workshops and access Taster Activities that can be continued in Swindon after the sessions. Some of the taster activities this term include basketball with Team Swindon Basketball Club, hockey with the Swindon Wildcats, football at the new Swindon Town FC Foundation Park, Rockbox exercise to music and swimming at the Oasis Better Leisure complex.
18 Wiltshire and Swindon Relay
‘’It has really changed our life for the better. My son is much more aware of what he eats and always tries to make better choices. The group gives us a
chance to try out new sports that our children haven’t experienced before which is awesome. That change alongside the weekly
exercise and engaging workshops is everything a family needs to stay healthy!’’
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