"Children should play outside to fight obesity problem", says Wotherspoon

The artist and creator of natural adventure playgrounds in schools and nurseries says it is all too easy for children to get stuck indoors.

His comments come after the latest figures revealed that one in five 10 and 11 year olds in Bolton are now classed as obese — higher than the national average of 19 per cent.

And the figures also reveal obesity rates in Bolton have increased by two per cent more compared to the previous 12 months.

Mr Wotherspoon, of Bolton-based Cool Canvas, has been transforming areas in school grounds so children can play creatively and imaginatively.

He said: “Today’s society is submerged in technology, from mobile phones to computer games.

“It’s very easy to get stuck indoors and let the day pass by, so much so that it can be easy for parents to forget how important it is for children to play outside and learn through experiences like getting muddy, climbing trees and making mud pies.

“It is traditional play from across the ages that children truly enjoy.”

Mr Wotherspoon wants to see children given the chance to get outside to play more often.

He added: “When I design a play area, it’s important to consider what children want to do when playing outside and what engages them.

“The answer is simple — children enjoy being active. They want to climb, run, jump, splash, explore, hide, make dens and experience mother nature.

“I’m influenced by nature by taking children on walks in places like Rivington and watching how they play and how they interact with their surrounding landscape.

“Sometimes it’s too easy to plonk the children in front of the TV or computer when really we should be outside in all weathers, helping them with their latest mud pie creation or putting on our waterproofs for some ultimate puddle splashing.”

n See The Bolton News tomorow to find out how a computer scientist from the University of Bolton is developing software to help combat the town’s obesity problem.