PUNE: In a recent survey, it was revealed that 50 per cent boys and girls from the city have a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). In Pune, the girls have fared better than boys in Anaerobic capacity, flexibility, upper body strength and abdominal strength. The age group in the survey was between 7 years to 17 years.

The survey was conducted by Sportz Village, an institute which works in the field of sports education. In its 10th edition of Annual Health Survey (AHS), it was revealed that children are displaying poor fitness levels across India. The nationwide survey had covered 1,49,833 children in the age groups of 7 years to 17 years from 364 schools across 250 cities and towns.

At a national level, the survey reveals that 1 in 2 children do not have a healthy BMI. The number of children with healthy levels of aerobic capacity, upper body strength and lower body strength is also low. 

Saumil Majmudar, CEO, Sportz Village Schools, said that the survey indicates that the health of children in India is not what it should be.

“Although, this is a cause for concern, we know what we have to do, to address this problem. The amount of time a child spends in physical activity is directly correlated to the fitness parameters of upper body strength, BMI and aerobic capacity. School leaders need to ensure that there is an adequate number of physical education periods factored into a school’s timetable. There is also a need to implement structured in-school physical education programmes that are age-appropriate, inclusive and engage all children meaningfully. Moreover, an adequate number of qualified physical education trainers are also required,” said Majumdar.

At the national level, the survey said that boys have slightly better BMI. The boys also have better upper body strength and flexibility. The girls have fared better in lower body strength and aerobic capacity. The health levels of boys and girls in the remaining parameters i.e. abdominal strength (84% healthy) and anaerobic capacity (66% healthy) were the same.