Punishing kids through sport?

That sport and physical activity play a significant role in controlling the spread of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer is well-known. Why then aren’t more organisations and governments promoting this approach? More importantly, why don’t more children and youth play sports or get involved in physical activity?

Know-it-all syndrome
There has been enough research to suggest the benefits of physical activity. Everyone now knows how important it is. But no one wants to take the next step towards acting on their knowledge. “The time to act is NOW,” stresses Dr Viliami Puloka, team leader, NCD, Healthy Pacific Lifestyle Section at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

Perceived as punishment
One reason is that physical activity is perceived as drudgery. “One school’s curriculum prescribes extra physical activity as a means to discipline children,” points out Dr Rajat Chauhan, primary catalyst at Back2Fitnesss. "If physical activity is viewed as punishment, no child will ever want to play," says Dr Chauhan.

"The moment you take the fun and pleasure out of something, it will be perceived as ‘drudgery’," adds Dr Bobby John, executive director of Global Health Advocates India.

Must be entertaining
Instead, despite their ethical obligation to do so, doctors don’t prescribe physical activity; schools don’t mandate it; and it sometimes seems that even parents would much rather give their children iPads and more time in front of the television, than engage them in physical activity. Given the benefits of physical activity, it must be entertaining, and should be able to engage and empower the youth by providing activities.