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

We Acknowledge
Nature Play WA acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, as the custodians of the land where our team lives and works. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and recognise the continuing connection of Indigenous people to their land, waters, sky, culture and community. We pay our respect to all Indigenous people of this land; ancestors, elders and young ones.