Girls’ physical activity rates are in crisis. Inside the new WA program which is seeing real change

Main Image: Mt Lawley Senior High School students Sofia Strano and Aanishka Sen took part in creating the new Talk N Walk app. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian

by Rhianna Mitchell

The four teenagers answer at the same time when asked their thoughts on why many girls their age baulk at the idea of physical activity.

“Social media,” say two, as their schoolmates say: “Devices.”

They don’t stop there. The words — considered, illuminating, smart observations — come tumbling out.

Body image plays a huge part too, they explain, in the widespread reluctance among teenage girls to take part in exercise. The onset of puberty coupled with an intense fear of judgment from peers leads to dread around putting on the school phys-ed uniform and joining in running, kicking or jumping, all inevitably competitive.

Read the full article about Nature Play WA’s Talk N Walk Program in The West Australian

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