More Exercise for Children: School Initiative to be Expanded
The Ministry of Sports is expanding the "daily exercise unit" in kindergartens and schools. This was announced by Sports State Secretary Michaela Schmidt (SPÖ) on Tuesday at a press conference in Vienna. The financial resources, which are almost entirely covered by the Ministry of Sports, will be increased from the previous 18 million to 19.5 million euros. ÖFB head coach Ralf Rangnick will be the first ambassador.
"Daily Exercise Unit" in Schools to be Expanded
"Sports are coming to school, that is the essence of the 'daily exercise unit'," said Schmidt. The aim is to get more children moving because "children who exercise regularly are healthier and more focused, they have better chances of staying active throughout their lives, and they also benefit psychologically and mentally." The goal is "for every child to exercise regularly, no matter where they live and regardless of the parents' financial situation."
Rangnick Becomes First Ambassador
Currently, around 400,000 children regularly participate in the "daily exercise unit." "This is a rollout rate of 15 percent," explained Schmidt. The aim is to gradually increase this number. New is the involvement of professional associations, which will provide trained coaches. Additionally, Rangnick, as the first ambassador, is expected to increase the initiative's visibility.
The ÖFB head coach spoke about the importance of sports, which is underrepresented as a school subject. "Sports are seen as an annoying minor subject." This urgently needs to change, and society needs to find more connection to daily exercise. Children should be able to "live out the natural urge to move that they have."
3,800 Educational Institutions Have Participated So Far
The sports umbrella organizations (ASKÖ, ASVÖ, Sportunion) have been responsible for implementing the "daily exercise unit" since 2009. Sportunion Vice President Michaela Huber said the initiative is not about performance, but about conveying the joy of movement to children. "The earlier I start with it, the more it becomes normal to engage in sports later in life." Sports and exercise would reduce costs in the healthcare sector.
The "daily exercise unit" can be designed flexibly in terms of time and location, explained Schmidt. Huber added that schools currently have only two to three sports lessons per week. On days without a sports unit, coaches from the initiative (currently around 3,300) come to the schools. In the last school year, 330,000 exercise units were conducted at over 3,800 educational institutions with 22,000 classes.
For the First Time, More Children Are Obese Than Underweight
The chairman of the umbrella association of social insurance carriers, Peter McDonald, advocated in advance for a nationwide introduction of the daily exercise unit, especially in view of the increasing obesity among children. According to UNICEF, for the first time worldwide, more children are obese than underweight this year. In Austria, around 28 out of 100 children aged five to nine are overweight or obese, with boys being significantly more affected than girls. Unhealthy eating and lack of exercise are the main causes.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.