Children worry about credit crunch

The poll of more than 500 10- to 15-year-olds found a third of 10- to 11-year-olds worried about the credit crunch, with the same number worrying about climate change. Eight out of 10 children in total said they found life too complicated.

Psychologist Dr Aric Sigman said children were exposed to too much adult information. "We are now seeing the natural reaction of children who are suffering from a deficiency in the fundamental experiences of childhood such as being able to play more with one another," he said.

The survey found that 36 per cent of children wanted to spend more time playing outside.

Sainsbury's is holding a conference, Active Kids Get Talking, in London tomorrow (4 November). Young people from 11 schools will discuss sport, healthy eating, cooking, enterprise and the environment. Sainsbury's will use their ideas to develop its Active Kids programme next year, which aims to boost physical activity among children.