Once pupils enter KS3 participation rates in physical activity start to fall. Yet one of the most important ways to tackle rising rates of obesity and allied health impacts is increasing activity levels.

Percentage of young people meeting guidelines on physical activity (2001-02)

                                                                Boys                       Girls
11 year olds                                           53.3                         37.5
13 year olds                                           52.1                         31.4
15 year olds                                           47.8                         28.8

We are going to work with our partners to find out from young people themselves why participation rates fall and what can be done to increase activity.

The consultation will be done by a outside agency which specialises in gathering healthy data and the results of the consultation will inform a ‘social marketing’ project to increase participation.

Health-related Social Marketing

“the systematic application of marketing concepts and techniques to achieve specific behavioural goals, to improve health and reduce inequalities.”

French, Blair-Stevens 2006

Social Marketing is recognised as an increasingly effective way of achieving health goals and, as teenagers are sophisticated consumers, we hope the approach will be effective with them!.

The consultation will be planned and designed in the next few months and we hope to involve as many young people as possible.

If you would like to find out more or get involved please get in touch. [email protected]