MORE Moorabool children are being driven to and from school than ever before, according to a Heart Foundation survey.
The activity level of children has gone backwards since 1970, prompting fears that public health will deteriorate as their fitness wanes.
A 1970 study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed 84per cent of all primary, high school, university and TAFE students travelled by public transport, walked or cycled. Just 16per cent travelled by car.
The new study shows 63per cent are driven to and from school, while active transport use has plummeted.
Bacchus Marsh Medical Centre’s Dr Noor Zannut said obesity levels were steadily creeping up among Moorabool children.
Dr Zannut, who has worked as a GP in the area for more than 13 years, said about 15-20per cent of local children were overweight. “Kids used to play outside; now they’re on computers, iPhones and iPads,” she said.
“They are sitting most of the time and also eating more junk food.
I see overweight children coming in with lung problems – shortness of breath, lethargy, a lack of energy. Later on, poor body image can cause psychological problems and when they hit middle age, issues like strokes and heart attacks can present.”
Dr Zannut said that with poor public transport, and houses spreading further across the shire, driving to school was often the only option for parents. “Parents now want to do things in the safest and quickest ways. I myself drive my son to school; it’s 15 kilometres away and on the way to work.”
She said schools needed to ensure they fostered exercise and a healthy diet. “Everything has become so quick and easy in our society, but it’s not necessarily good for us.”
Dr Jan Garrard, an expert in health promotion at Deakin University, said the survey showed Australian children were among some of the most cosseted and chauffeured in the world.
-With The Age
