Policy & Practice: Policy Into Practice - Wider school activities can get children active

That is just one of the startling statistics in the recent health select committee report and perhaps illuminates our reactive approach to public policy most acutely. With one in five boys and one in four girls overweight or obese, and fewer youngsters engaging in physical activity, the case for co-ordinated action is overwhelming.

Addressing the impending children's health crisis requires a shared purpose and agenda among play, education and childcare sectors. All have a vital role to play in promoting the importance of activity and a healthy diet to children. In planning sports provision, we need to consider the broader context, including links with healthy living and children's play. Progress cannot be made by any of these sectors acting alone and competition among them is counterproductive. The challenge for policymakers is to demonstrate their interconnectivity and maximise their collective impact.