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Pedal machines introduced in Suffolk school to fight obesity

DCUK NewsBot

DCUK NewsBot

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A Suffolk school has committed to fighting obesity among its students by introducing pedal machines under their desks. The equipment - which is not compulsory for pupils of Red Oak Primary in Lowestoft - can be used during lessons to help increase activity levels. As obesity rates among children continue to rise, much is being done across the country to encourage young people to become more active and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. Earlier this year the government launched a sugar tax and has proposed other measures to reduce childhood obesity, including bans on junk food advertising. In May, figures released by the Local Government Association revealed that more than 20,000 children aged 10 and 11 years are severely obese by the time they leave primary school. Speaking to the BBC, head teacher Heather Madsen said: "This is about setting up activity levels for the rest of their lives." So far, 30 machines have been purchased, but the school is looking to fund more, which come equipped with a display that shows how long the user has been pedalling for and how many calories have been burnt during a session. Some pupils have been burning up to 800 calories a day. Mrs Madsen added: "It was initially a novelty and like the Tour de France here, but since then they've calmed down and some are doing it out of habit. "We were talking about initiatives that would stimulate the children's concentration and ensure they could still stay focused on lessons." Feedback from the students have been positive with competitiveness between students driving participation as well as children enjoying lessons more.

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Yay! Let's make sure CICO carries on to the next generation. Not. How about spending the money on educating kids about the dangers of a poor diet? Having had three sons go through the education system I can testify as to the fall in standards of school dinners since outsourcing became cheaper. And as for the multitude of fast food outlets specifically opened near schools, there really needs to be a ban.
 
DCUK NewsBot said:
A Suffolk school has committed to fighting obesity among its students by introducing pedal machines under their desks. The equipment - which is not compulsory for pupils of Red Oak Primary in Lowestoft - can be used during lessons to help increase activity levels. As obesity rates among children continue to rise, much is being done across the country to encourage young people to become more active and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. Earlier this year the government launched a sugar tax and has proposed other measures to reduce childhood obesity, including bans on junk food advertising. In May, figures released by the Local Government Association revealed that more than 20,000 children aged 10 and 11 years are severely obese by the time they leave primary school. Speaking to the BBC, head teacher Heather Madsen said: "This is about setting up activity levels for the rest of their lives." So far, 30 machines have been purchased, but the school is looking to fund more, which come equipped with a display that shows how long the user has been pedalling for and how many calories have been burnt during a session. Some pupils have been burning up to 800 calories a day. Mrs Madsen added: "It was initially a novelty and like the Tour de France here, but since then they've calmed down and some are doing it out of habit. "We were talking about initiatives that would stimulate the children's concentration and ensure they could still stay focused on lessons." Feedback from the students have been positive with competitiveness between students driving participation as well as children enjoying lessons more.

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OMG! Poor kids.
Do they get a choice?
 
lucylocket61 said:
how about bringing back sports in schools and giving them back their playing fields?
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Too late, the fields are now housing estates of 'affordable' £500,000 homes around here.
 
What a shock I've had to discover how bad senior school meals are. My son is eating subs nearly everyday. My alternative is to abandon free school meals for stressed packed lunch buying and preparing. Ok I'm creative but Mr ickihun isn't in my absence so I won't be risking his lunches. For now. I am going to be on it as soon as out of hospital thou. And fairly pronto.
Our poor children of today are often treated as Guinea pigs.... by the educational system and elsewhere. If they can get away with it. :(
 
I can't help thinking that this could be utilised as providing green energy by powering the lights with the electricity the kids could generate. :hilarious::bag:

In all seriousness, it is such a shame that there is less sport in the curriculum, as more importance is placed on teaching to the test to meet targets and league tables. Oh and yes, I agree that the 'food' offered to children is appalling. Can't exercise away a bad diet.
 
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