Parents who ‘drop and drive’ kids to school put their lifetime health at risk, research reveals

PARENTS who drive and drop off their children at school are putting their offspring’s long-term health at risk, experts say. This is why.

AUSTRALIAN children will live shorter and unhealthier lives than their grandparents unless they become more physically active, new statistics reveal.

A report by the Australian Health Policy Collaboration shows that more than 70 per cent of children and 91 per cent of young people are not meeting the national physical activity recommendation of 60 minutes each day. Almost a quarter of all children and 29 per cent of young people are overweight or obese.

FAMILIES SLAVE TO CAR COMMUTE

Alice Pryor accompanies her children Annabel, 3, and Charlie, 7, on an active trip to school. Picture: Tony Gough

Experts have identified the school “drive and drop” culture as the main reason for physically inactive kids, urging parents to take active transport to school.

“As a nation, we have stopped moving,” AHPC director Professor Rosemary Calder said. “We are putting our children’s lifetime health at risk because of our reliance on driving our children to and from school.”

WHAT AGE SHOULD KIDS WALK TO SCHOOL ALONE?

MORE KIDS ON THE MARCH TO SCHOOL

Active transport to school, including walking and riding a bike or scooter, has been identified as the most significant contributor to better health.

Mum Alice Pryor, 33, chose a local school in Pascoe Vale for her children, Charlie, 7, and Annabel, 3, so they could walk or ride.