SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Change4Life has linked up with Disney to launch the 10 Minute Shake Up campaign in a bid to get more children in Kent to be more active this summer.

The children campaign aims to encourage kids to play various sport games and activities inspired by lovable characters from Disney and Pixar animated films such as Frozen, The Lion King, Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2.

The events are being promoted throughout Kent’s schools, children’s centres and libraries.

Change4Life - a Public Health England (PHE) initiative across the UK that helps families eat healthier, move more and live longer - has also launched a new online quiz with Disney to help children, with their parents, find activities and sports that might be perfect for them to try, based on their skills and abilities.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHANGE4LIFE IN YOUR AREA IN KENT

Almost two million children took part in last year’s campaign while 2019 marks the sixth year that PHE and Disney have worked together to help inspire children to be more active.

The summer activities follow the latest survey from Change4Life and Disney UK which found that only a little over half of parents in the South East are aware that physical activity can build children’s self-confidence (54%), reduce anxiety (51%) and improve their self-esteem (53%).

Research shows that children and young people who are more active have more confidence, higher self-esteem, less anxiety and stress and better social skills.

This in turn helps them deal with the challenges they face in daily life.

Positive attitudes towards physical activity have also been associated with children being happier.

Sport England found that enjoyment is the single biggest factor that motivates children to be active. It will also help families try new sports and physical activities locally, whether at their local park, leisure centre or through a well-known sport.

“The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day,” said Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark.

“Yet just 20% of boys and even fewer girls (14%), are meeting this target, despite two in four of children in the South East saying that they enjoy being active.

“We support the Change4Life campaigns because the overwhelming evidence is that physical activity is good for both physical and mental health and we strongly encourage families to think about healthy lifestyles - ensuring their children are eating the right things and being active enough.”

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHANGE4LIFE IN YOUR AREA IN KENT

The 10 Minute Shake Up campaign is being supported by Danny Jones who is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.

“I’m really surprised to see how few kids are getting active,” said father of one Danny.

“When I was a kid, I loved being outside and being active, whether it was playing football or going on bike rides with my family.

“I didn’t realise it at the time but being active was really important; it helped me to make friends and feel part of a group.”

He added: “I’m supporting this Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Up campaign to help kids have fun getting active so they can develop skills that will help them throughout their life.”

“We are in a unique position to inspire families and children to be more active through their characters and the stories they tell,” says Marianthi O’Dwyer, Vice President and Head of Disney Healthy Living UK.

“It’s as simple as designing 10 Minute Shake Up games based on fresh or much-loved Disney content to tap into children’s imaginations and get them moving more.”

For more information about Change4Life and the 10 Minute Shake Up games this summer, click here or search ‘Change4Life’.